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OK   THE 

PRINCETON,   N.  J. 


SAMUEL   AGNEW, 

OK     P  II  I  I.  A  n  F.  L  P  I 


^yh<^^cy^  y^rr^j^^t^ 


BR  145  .B687  1823 
Bourne,  George,  1780-1845. 
Lectures  on  the  progress  ai 
perfection  of  the  Church  ( 


I 


A 


I 


iLa®iw®ai 


•N  THE 


PROGRESS  AND  PERFECTION 


©F  THE 


CHURCH  OF  CHRIST. 


BY  GEORGE  BOURNE. 


After  the  Lbrd  had  spoken  unto  them,  he  was  received 
up  into  heaven,  and  sat  on  the  right  hand  of  God.  And 
they  went  forth  and  preached  every  where,  the  Lord 
working  with  them,  and  confirming  the  word  with  signs 
{•Uowing.    Amen.  ,       makS. 


MOUNT-PLEASANT,  N.  Y. 
PUBLISHED  BY  R.  W.  KNIGHT, 

•.  AIARSHALL,   FRINTBB. 

I82g. 


JT 


#♦ 


M 


PREFACE. 


These  Lectures  upon  Ecclesiastical  History  were 
origijirilly  intended  solely,  to  diversify  public  instruc- 
tion in  tlie  ordinary  routine  of  christian  ministerial 
duties  ;  which  constitutes  a  sufficient  apology  to  dis- 
arm criticism.  The  Prospectus  remarked,  *•  as  the 
principal  object  is  to  develope  to  youth,  and  to  per- 
sons who  have  enjoyed  but  few  opportunities  of  study, 
a  concise  delineation  of  the  prominent  features  and 
facts  which  the  annals  of  the  Christian  Church  com- 
bine; and  as  the  form  of  instruction  is  oral  and  pop- 
ular, all  learned  and  recondite  investigations  are  un- 
avoidably precluded." 

The  last  note  in  the  Appendix  contains  the  jnlor- 
mation  ordinarily  included  in  an  introductory  no- 
tice; to  it,  the  reader  is  referred  for  any  explaijation 
which  he  may  desire,  concerning  the  materials  of 
which  the  volume  is  composed. 

The  Author  believes,  that  notwithstanding  all  their 
imperfections,  these  Lectures  are  not  the  vehicle  of 
error  ;  he  has  endeavoured  ifi  connection  with  the 
narrative,  to  oppose  essential  aberrations  from  the 
truth,  to  defend  the   fundamental  doctrines  of  the 


fREFACE. 

Gospel,  and  to  inculcate  the  importance  of  fraternal 
affection  among  Christians,  thereby  to  augment  that 
"  communion  of  all  saints"  which  will  constitute  the 
peace  and  the  glory  of  the  Millennium.  If  an  heter- 
odoxical  opinion  sanctioned  as  evangelical  verity, 
or  a  statement  which  can  excite  a  discordant  feeling 
between  the  sincerely  devotional  disciples  of  the 
gracious  Redeemer — should  be  discovered  in  the  vol- 
ume, no  person  will  more  sincerely  censure,  or  more 
quickly  expunge  the  morbid  excrescence. 

The  prophetical  illustrations  are  incorporated  ex- 
pressly to  demonstrate  the  truth  of  Divine  Revelation, 
and  to  educe  a  devout  and  practical  acknowledgment 
that  the  Author  and  Founder  of  Christianity,  is  the 
God  of  all  Grace,  King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lord^, 

GEORGE  BOURNE. 

Mount-Pleasant,  N.  Y. 
April  IQ,  1823. 


INDEX  OF  TITLES. 


I.  rntrodiictory.    The  study  of  ecclesiastical  history,  t 

II.  The  Apostles,  Evangelists,  doctriues,    discipline,  persceHtions, 
and  progress  of  the  church  during  the  first  century,  21 

III.  The  order,  einiuent  Christians,  heresies  and  persecutions 

oi"  the  churcli  during  the  second  ceutury,  36 

IV.  The  eminent  Christian*,  doctrines,  government,  heresies,  and 

persecutions  of  the  chnrcii  during  the  third  ceutury,  67 

T.  The  triumph,  doctrine,  government,  ministers,  ceremonies, 
and  heresies  of  the  church  during  the  fourth  century,  85 

Tl.  The  extension,  doctrines,  rites,  and  the  ceremonies  of  the 

church  during  the  htth  aud  sixth  centuries,  100 

VII,  The  Mohammedans  aud  the  Turks— the  superstition,  ignor- 
ance, discord  and  depravity  of  the  Greeks  until  tue  Reform- 
ation, 114 
Tin.  Prophesies  reipecting  the  Latm  chu'ch,                                  135 
IX.  The  dominion  aud  power  of  the  Papal  hierarchy,                     154 
X.  Characteristics  ol  the  Popedom,                                                 1§9 
XI.  Supporters  of  the  Papal  Apostacy,                                             193 
Xli    The  two  Witnesses  who  prophesy  *' clothed  in  sackcloth,"       223 
Xiii.  Ths  Hecormation  :                                                                      241 
XIV.  Oppu!»tioD  lo  the  Protestants,                                                     260 
XV.  The  Greek,  P^omaii,  Lulherau  and  Augiicaa  episcopal  church 

from  the  Ketormation,  285 

XVI,  The  modern  reformed  churches,  311 

XVil.  Theological  coutrovv^rsies,  335 

XViil.  The  principal  modern  den«minatioDS,  364 

XIX.  Christianity  la  the  United  Slates,  393 

XX.  Religious  iu^tiiutions,  410 

XXI.   TH£  MltLENNlOM,  424 


INDEX  TO  THE  LECTURES. 


America  discovered 

America  settled 

Auglican  established  church 

Apostles 

Artifice 

Asiatic  seven  churches 

Augsburgh  cootessioa 

Auriculae  coat'essiou 

Austria 

B. 
Baptism  of  Heretics 
Baptists  377 

Bishops  aud  Presbyters 


Page      Sabellian 
237?    Trinitariau 

393  Councils  72,  92,  227, 

300  Court  of  High  Commisioa 

21  Croisades 
20l|  D. 

36jDegeneracy  ot  the  ecclesiastical 
248  orders 

181  Depravity  of  the  Greeks 
292j  Destruction  of  images 
Diet  ot  Worms 

7aOiscipiiDe  of  the  primitive  Chris- 
407  tians 

9*  Discord  among  the  Greeks 


76 
340 

2r.9 
306 
208 


Blasphemy  of  the  heathen  Priests    57.Douatists 
Blessings  of  the  lleformatioa        275  Duration  of  the  Milleuuium 
Bohemia  317  E. 

Book  of  Sports  307  Ebionites 

C.  English  Reformers 

Celibacy  145,  182  Knthusiasm 

Ceremouies  97,   1  lO  Epispcopacy 

Charact«ri!itics  of  the  MilleDBium  433  Episcopal ian 
Christianity  tr;e  H,  130  Evangelists 

Claims  of  the  .Roman  Bishop  74  Extension  of  Christianity 

Commencement  of  the  126U  Extreme  Unction 

years  158,  420  F. 

Commeaceraeut  of  the  Milieu- 
mum 
Conference  at  Liepsic 


234 
V2?. 

247 
244 

27 
125 

93 
431 

28 

266 
207 


407 

21 

31.  103 

181 


Congregational  ists 
Constautiuopolitau  empire  sub- 
verted 


Constantms    and  Coostantiae  86.  ii7 


Faith  of  the  primitive  Chris- 
427  tians 

243  Feasts  ot  charity 
405  Festival  at  Ararat 

"Five  points 
236.Fraace 


24,  41 

in 

61 
347 
314 


G. 


COitTROVKRSIES. 

Arian 

Arminian 

Baptismal 

Oeisticai 

Easter 

Eiistathian 

Gevurnmeut  and  Discipli 

Manichean 

Meletian 

Nestoiian 

Origan 

Pelagiaa 

Popish 

Puritaa 


Geneva 
99,  lOSG.rmanCalviuists 
34^)  Gnostic* 

350  God-denying  apostacy 
336iGo<l's  dispensations  mysterious 
43,  4yiGreek  church  123, 

94  H. 

le  35JHimiltou  Patrirk 
75  ifl^-atheu  Calumny 
94  H<r<  sies  of  primitive  Christians 


304, 


100 
95 
103 
290 
397 


tfuguenots 
Huss  Johu 

[2;norauce 
Image- worship 


313 

407 

28 

47 

148 

286 

323 

52 

27 

294 

227 


I.  J. 


125,  182 
127,  145,  184 


liVBEX 


fndependents 

367 

Persiau 

90. 

lu  <!il.«;pnces 

18C 

Papal                 212,  262,  267,  292 

Inf  illibiiity  of  the  Pope 

1G4 

.  176 

Pilgrimage 

181 

fniuiU  Baptism 

7« 

Poland 

317 

Infidel  it  J  refuted 

421 

Polycarp 

(2 

Inquisition 

21fe 

Popery 

167,  289 

Irish  Massacre 

308 

Pope's  Bull  burnt 

243 

Jara.s  VI. 

326 

Pope's  Dominions 

^   156 

Je.ome  ot  Prague 

228 

Power  ol"  the  Bishops 

96 

Jesuits 

271 

Presbyterians 

406 

Jewish  opinions 

46 

Prester  John 

121 

Julian 

89 

Prophecy 

146 

L. 

Providential  acquisitions 

434 

Laurentius 

81 

Pur-atory                          73,145,  179 

Leonists 

228 

Puritans 

303,  395 

Literahire 

404 

Q. 

Lollards 

232 

Quakers 

385,  AQJ 

Lord's  Day 

43 

R. 

LutvirCyrillus 

287 

Reformation. 

241 

Luthrr 

242 

Denmark 

261 

Lutherans 

297 

407 

tngland 

265 

Luther's  Ne»f  Testament 

246 

France 

254 

Luther's  Propositions 

242 

Germany- 

242 

M. 

Italy 

254 

Macoail  Hugh 

329 

Scotland 

257 

Marcus  Pius 

62 

Sweden 

252 

Maryland 

397 

Switzerland 

249 

Mas. 

4;j 

Rel'ormed  Dutch 

406 

Mtad  Matthew 

359 

Regular  succession 

354 

Means  lo  iutroiluce  the  Millen- 

Religious  institutions 

410 

ninm 

431 

R<  hgious  r«vivals 

333.  398 

Metiiodists 

389 

407 

S. 

Military  arniaiuents 

213 

Schism                            128 

,  233,  354 

Miraculous  gifts 

41.  71 

Scotch  Covenant 

327 

MohainmeilanJsin 

119 

Scotland 

622 

Monachism 

73 

207 

Secession 

332 

Moravians 

380 

ScTen  Sacraments 

187 

N. 

Societies. 

410 

Netherlands 

317 

American  Board  of  Fort 

ign 

New  Eiiitiand  Synods 

405 

Missions 

419 

IVouconrormists 

309, 

353 

Baptist 

418,  419 

©. 

Bible 

414 

Objections  to  popery 

188 

Church 

417 

Opponents  ol  popery 

224 

Colonization 

420 

Opposition  to  the  Protestants 

291 

Education 

412 

Or  lination  tripartite 

360 

London 

416,  417 

Orir-Qtal  Philosophy 

48 

Magazines 

414 

P. 

Methodist 

416,  421 

Paganism  and  Christianity 

112 

Moravian 

416 

Papal  supremacy  145,  159, 

165. 

175 

Paris 

418 

Papists 

408 

Religious  Tract 

413 

Pauliciaas 

228 

S(  rampore 

410 

Penance 

Ill, 

145 

Sunday  School 

413 

Penusylvania 

398 

United  Foreign 

420 

Peksecutions. 

W.s|eyan 

41S 

Heathen               29,  50, 58,  61 

,785 

Spiritual  enjoyment* 

437 

1N»EK, 


Superstition 
Switzerland 
Synod  of  Dort 

T. 
Terror 
Tetzel 

Transiibstautiatioa 
Typography 

V. 
Tasa  Gnstavns 


109, 


123 
313 
31t> 


204 

24! 

126,  145,  178 

236 


Vaudoia 
Virginia 


314 

402 


Waldenses  •  213,  229 

War  against  the  Protestants  261 

Wiciiiiffe  John  227 

Wishart  Gtoige  324 

Z. 

Ziska  John  231 

ZniBgliHS  Ulrio  249 


ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY^ 


IXTilODUCTORY. 


THE  history  of  the  Christian  Church  comprises 
the  most  iiiterestijig  and  splendid  topics  for  contem- 
plation in  the  annals  of  our  globe.  If  the  study  of 
general  history  be  one  of  the  best  means  of  mental 
expansion;  if  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  Biogra- 
phy be  a  copious  source  of  self-knowledge — it  follows, 
that  of  all  the  departments  of  historical  record,  that 
which  includes  the  government  of  Jehovah  in  con- 
nection with  the  disciples  of  the  Prince  of  Peace,  must 
be  the  most  instructive  and  important. 

To  review  the  moral  transformation  which  has 
been  developed  in  the  world  since  that  august  Pen- 
tecostal morning,  when  in  Jerusalem,  in  every  lan- 
guage, Peter  and  the  disciples  "spake  the  wonderful 
w^orks  of  God;"  briefly  to  retrace  the  divine  dispen- 
sations by  which  the  grand  design  of  redemption  has 
been  evolved  ;  a,nd  to  display  the  gradual  progres- 
sion of  the  church  of  Christ  towards  that  period,  when 
''  the  light  of  tj^ie  moon  shall  be  as  the  light  of  the 
sun,  and  the  light  of  the  sun  shall  be  sevenfold,  even 
as  the  light  of  seven  days ;"  can  be  neither  a  useless 
nor  a  superfluous  employment. 

Here  we  shall  behold  tlie  most  astonishing  con- 
tradictions, under  the  government  of  infinite  wisdom, 
all  combining  to  produce  the  same  beneticial  result; 
in  the  methods  by  which  the  Great  Head  of  the 
Church  has  directed  ail  her  affairs,  we  shall  perceive 
the  Redeemer  exalted;  from  the  fortitude,  patience^ 

A 


i2  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  I. 

virtues  and  triumphs  of  suffering  Martyrs,  the  timid 
oppressed  disciple  may  be  encouraged  ;  from  the 
labors,  energies  and  zeal  of  Apostles.  Reformers  and 
Missionaries,  the  slothful  may  be  excited  to  activity 
and  diligence,  and  the  faithful  Servant  must  be  ani- 
mated to  nobler  exertions  for  the  cause  of  him 
"  who  died  that  we  may  live ;"  and  from  the  aw- 
ful end  of  many  who  have  with  unhallowed  hands 
touched  the  ark  of  God,  we  may  be  induced  to  trem- 
ble lest  we  should  be  hardened  into  the  spirit  of  per- 
secution, or  ingulphed  in  the  abyss  of  impenitence 
and  despair. 

From  contemplations  upon  the  visible  kingdom 
of  Jesus,  in  the  successive  ages  through  which  she 
has  passed,  we  may  deduce  every  species  of  moral 
and  spiritual  improvement.  The  perfections  of  God, 
as  illustrated  in  her  narrative,  are  adapted  to  excite 
equal  fear  and  confidence;  the  mercy  of  the  gracious 
Saviour  has  so  often  interposed  for  the  deliverance 
of  his  tried  and  stedfast  disciples,  that  no  one  can 
reasonably  be  agonized;  the  graces  which  inspire  and 
adorn  the  Christian,  are  manifestly  demonstrated  to 
be  of  celestial  origin  by  the  wonderful  effects  which 
have  flowed  from  the  possession  of  them — thus  devo- 
tion, hope  and  a  similitude  to  him"  who  was  holy, 
harmless,  and  undefiled"  are  engendered,  and  we 
become  "folloAvers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  pa- 
tience now  inherit  the  promises/' 

What  luas  the  state  of  the  irorid  on  that  inorning  when 
''-the  Lord  was  received  vp  into  heaven,  and  sat  on  the  right 
hand  of  God?'' 

The  greater  portion  of  the  civilized  and  explored 
countries  of  our  globe  were  tributaries  to  Rome  ;  their 
morals  formed  amass  of  indescribable  turpitude,  and 
their  pretended  religion  was  the  most  preposterous 
and  senseless  idolatry.  Even  their  philosophers,  with 
scarcely  an  exception,  were  little  more  elevated  ei- 
ther in  the  rationality  of  their  conceptions,  or  their 
purity  of  conduct:  and  the  Epicurean  system,  which 
was  the  most  extensively  prevalent,    and  obtained 


INTRODUCTORY. 


the  most  numerous  enrolment  of  devotees,  comming- 
led all  the  absurdities  of  the  most  debasing  iVtheism 
in  principle,  with  unbounded  practical  sensuality 
and  corruption.  The  Jews  alone  appeared  under  a 
different  character;  while  the  other  nations  were 
enveloped  in  tangible  darkness,  light  beamed  upon 
them;  notwithstanding,  errors  of  ihe  most  pernicious 
nature  infected  all  orders  of  the  people,  and  the  dis- 
putation of  the  Sadducees  and  Pharisees  tended  only 
to  augment  their  delusions. — Pharisaic  traditions 
which  made  the  commandments  of  God  of  none  efiect, 
were  the  entrance,  by  which  the  people  travelled  to 
Sadducean  hifidelity  and  thence  to  Epicurean  licen- 
tiousness. Of  those  sections  of  the  world,  which  the 
conjoined  ambition  and  cupidity  of  Rome  had  not 
grasped,  little  is  known;  but  that  record  which  has 
survived  the  destruction  of  time,  evinces  that  in  prin- 
ciples, manners,  appearance  and  civilization,  they 
were  probably  inferior  to  the  most  degraded  and 
wretched  tribe  of  our  Aboriginal  Americans. 

At  this  period,  about  the  year  of  the  world  4000, 
in  Judea  resided  a  being  in  human  form,  of  the  most 
extraordinary  character.  The  instructions  w  hich  he 
delivered,  w^ere  all  sublime,  novel,  decidedly  oppos- 
ed to  the  sentiments  and  habits  which  then  prevail- 
ed, and  .totally  destructive  of  their  longer  continu- 
ance :  these  doctrines  he  enforced  by  matchless  au- 
thority, and  verified  by  the  most  stupendous  mira- 
cles. From  the  haired  which  his  opinions  excited, 
he  was  unjustly  and  ignominiously  murdered  ;  having 
previous  to  that  event,  predicted  his  premature  and 
cruel  death,  the  instruments  who  should  be  permit- 
ted to  slay  him,  disclosed  his  restoration  to  life  to  his 
twelve  disciples,  and  commissioned  them  at  a  subse- 
quent ca//,  to  itinerate  through  all  the  world,  pro- 
mulging  as  they  travelled,  instruction  for  the  igno- 
rant, reformation  for  the  vicious,  and  redemption  for 
the  lost,  merely  by  believing  the  "''  glad  tidings,"  the 
good  news,  which  they  were  enjoined  to  preach  ; 
promising  them,  at  the  time  of  their  appointment  to 


4.  ECCLESIASTICAL    inSlOIiV.  LECTURE  I. 

this  arduous  employ,  that  'Mkip3»k>ha'methey  shouWi 
cast  out  devils,  speak  with  nen'-and  unknbwn  tdsi^e^ 
take  up  serpents  unhurt;"  drink  poitiorihmt'k<biut  in- 
jury, and  be  capable  of  healing  all  manner  bf-disdas- 
es,  to  authenticate  the  message  Mhich  they'were  di^; 
rected  to  deliver  to  the<  benighted  idolater  and  de- 
praved bacchanalian.  Jesus  had  also  assui^ed  his 
disciples,  that  as  the  infallible  consequence  of  the 
publication  of  the  doctrines  which  he  taught^  they 
should  experience  great  opposition  ;  but  that  tiisi 
cause  should  ultimately  triumph,  to  banish  Atheistic: 
darkness,  the  orgies  of  idolatry,  and  all  the  doininatit 
corruption  of  the  human  family.  He  as  eluded  oil 
high,  and  left  his  apostles  to  realize:  the  Yeri*y>iof  hig; 
divine  mission.  -  v!];,!i  >c   ^3  r^  v/k  r| 

Now,  Jesus  Christ  did  live.,di(e,  ris!?ragaift,  ai«j!Mafc 
jestically  disappear  from  J udea,  in  conformity  v,with 
the  narrative  in  the  New  Testament :  or  the  emuK 
gelical  history  is  fabulous.  If  it  be  replied,  that  no 
such  being  ever  resided  among  the  Jews,  then  a  vast 
majority  of  the  most  splendid  and  biissthl  events  in 
the  annals  of  the  world,  have  no  anterior  cause  ;  that 
is,  all  the  transactions  of  tlie  civilized  nations,  durins; 
nearly  eigliteen  hundred  years,  have  existed  without 
any  commenccxment,  or  concatenation  :  and  what  is 
more  astonishing,  this  same  Jewish  nation,  among 
whom  he  is  related  to  have  been  numbered,  are  ex- 
pelled from  the  land  of  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob, 
according  to  his  prediction;  in  every  age,  in  every 
generation,  in  every  country,  of  all  climates,  colours, 
languages,  period.^,,  scattered  through  the  habitable 
globe,  almost  universally  feeling  an  inextinguishaMe 
hatred  to  that  Jesus  who  was  crucified  by  their  an^ 
cestors,  and  manifesting  an  insuperable  aversion  from 
all  those  who  profess  to  believe  in  his  doctrines,  and 
to  obey  his  commands ;  that  is,  they  abhor  that  which 
never  existed,  and  are  most  inveterately  malignant 
against  a  non-entity.  Admit  tliis  consequence,  and 
all  the  miracles  in  the  holy  scriptures  dwindle  into 
ir^significance,  contrasted  with  the  magnitude  of  that 


INTRODUCTORY.  C|\ 

prmligy  ^o  which  Infidel  creduhty  flics  for  refugc^t 
•£>eiij.the  truth  of  ancient  history,  which  thus  repi'^g?-; 
senlsitke  state  of  the  world  prior  to  the  destructida 
of /Jerusalem  ;  all  the  past  becomes  a  blank,  an^- 
reliance- upon  human  testimony  a  delusion.  ,But  asj 
this  principle  ia  operation  would  immediately,  pror; 
duGoa  dissolution  of  society,  it  requires; no  argument 
to  demonstrate  that  it  is  fallacious,  c  <,.oi  ,:-.«;:;„>-,;( 
^  Ifv!  on  -  the  contrary,  we  affirm,  thajt  jJespsitiQlliJstr 
lived  according  to  the  evangelical  narration,  \t6ia»fe^. 
involved  in  a  single  alternative— either  the  results, 
which  the  Saviour  declared  should  attend  Apostoli<jj. 
preaching,  have  been  witnessed  by  the  successive 
generations  of  mankind,  or  no  such  consequencesi 
have  ever  actually  existed.  It  is  a  point  perfectly 
indifferent,  which  of  the  positions  is  selected,  be- 
cause both  must  inevitably  conduct  the  impartial 
judge  to  the  same  eventual  conclusion.  Deny  that 
these  effects  have  accompanied  the  promulgation  of 
the  Gospel— then,  who  subverted  tlie  Pagan  Idols  ? 
who  dethroned  the  Heathen  Mythology  ?  who  razed 
the  altars  of  superstition  ?  what  extinguished  the  fire, 
of,  human  sacrificial  victims  ?  who  transformed  the 
Gladiator's  Aceldama  into  a  temple  of  devotion  .^. 
what  so  metamorphosed  the  human  family  that  hq 
person  could  probably  be  discovered,  certainly  no. 
audience  could  be  collected,  even  to  hear  a  faithiul 
and  plain  detail  of  the  authorized,  riotous  and  unhalf 
lowed  abominations,  which  constituted  the  glory  and 
the  attraction  of  the  Bacchanalian  and  other  solemr 
nities  ?  Who  influenced  the  Roman  Empire  to  be 
called  after  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  per- 
petuate his  honours  by  regularly  dedicating  every 
seventh  day  to  his  praise,  and  by  celebrating  sacred 
institutions  "  in  remembrance"  of  him  ? 

It  cannot  be  aflirmed,  that  these  changes  occurred 
from  the  fluctuations  of  human  opinion ;  because  this 
mutation  was  gradually  exemplified,  notwithstand- 
ing ceaseless  opposition  to  prevent  it,  and  the  most 
unremitting,  artful,  and  energetic  measures,  to  eter- 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURi:  1. 


nize  the  ancient  system.  Suppose  twelve  men  in  the 
United  States  should  coalesce  to  attempt  the  re-es-** 
tablishment  of  the  divcrsitied  absurdities  oi  antiquity; 
allov/  them  wealth  amply  sufficient  to  secure  them 
against  the  vicissitudes  of  dependence  and  penury  ; 
grant  them  the  possession  of  all  the  stores  of  intellect 
and  the  powers  of  eloquence  ;  assist  them  by  all  the 
advantages  of  the  typographic  art ;  and  permit  them 
to  publish  their  doctrines,  to  engage  in  their  abhor- 
rent orgies,  and  to  exalt  their  Jupiter,  their  Bacchus, 
their  Venus,  without  restraint  and  without  persecu- 
tion— ^every  person  instantaneously  perceives,  that  a 
greater  folly  could  not  enter  the  blind  and  mor- 
bid imagination  of  man  ;  yet  this  is  indescribably 
more  plausible,  than  that  which  we  see,  and  hear,  and 
know  !  The  inference  is  irresistible,  that  twelve 
•'  unlearned  and  ignorant  men,"  without  any  of  those 
beneficial  appendages,  could  not  possibly  have  been 
"'  more  than  conquerors,"  But  through  the  instru- 
mentality of  the  Apostles  and  their  fellow  labourers, 
idolatrous  statues  have  been  consumed  in  the  tlames; 
the  theogony  of  the  Ancients  is  remembered  only  as 
a  subject  of  ridicule  and  contempt;  Pagan  altars  no 
longer  smoke  with  unhallowed  incense ;  the  festivals 
of  cruelty  are  no  more  exhibited,  and  beastly  licen- 
tiousness has  been  banished  from  those  regions,  in 
which  the  doctrines  of  Christ  and  his  Disciples  il- 
luminate the  understanding  and  sway  the  heart;  and 
these  effects  have  been  produced,  althougli  the  pre- 
judices of  antiquity  counteracted,  the  pride  and  cu- 
pidity of  interested  Priests  repelled,  the  Imperial 
majesty,  armed  with  invincible  power  resisted,  and 
wretchedness,  disgrace,  persecution  and  death,  over- 
whelmed the  Teachers  of  Truth  in  every  form,  and 
with  the  most  terrific  horrors.  Hence  we  are  forced 
to  conclude  that  the  primitive  Christian  Instructors 
were  supernaturally  assisted,  and  consequently  that, 
their  contest  was  divine,  supported  by  an  invisible 
energy,  and  prosperous  through  omnipotent  co-ope- 
ration. 


INTRODUCTOP.Y.  7 

If  the  result  to  which  this  brief  review  has  con- 
ducted us,  be  the  natural  and  the  sole  conviction  of 
our  judgments,  it  is  evident,  that  the  history  of"  the 
church  of  God,  which  he  purchased  with  his  own 
blood"  is  the  most  dignified,  interesting,  and  moment- 
ous topic  which  can  engross  our  attention.  Here  is  a 
cause  of  heavenly  origin,  sustained  by  supreme  inter- 
position, and  bearing  in  all  its  features,  and  in  all  its 
progression,  the  stamp  of  its  eternal  Author  :  so  that 
w^e  may  justly  say,  during  the  examination  v/hich  it 
involves — "  This  is  the  iinger  of  God."  ], 

All  that  can  certainly  be  known  of  the  Christian 
church  until  the  death  of  John  the  Beloved,  is  com- 
prised in  the  x\cts  of  the  Apostles  and  their  Epistles  ; 
but  a  correct  and  lucid  understanding  of  the  doc- 
trines of  the  primitive  Disciples,  their  miraculous 
qualifications,  the  government  of  Christ's  mystical 
body,  the  heresies  which  arose  during  that  era,  the 
persecutions  which  they  sudered,  and  the  opposition 
which  they  experienced,  will  enable  us  to  form  exact 
ideas  of  the  subsequent  departure  from  "  the  faith 
which  was  once  delivered  unto  the  saints." 

Thence  the  history  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  on 
earth  until  the  reign  of  Constantine,  and  the  ages 
of  darkness  which  overspread  the  nations  nominally 
Christian,  until  the  commencement  of  the  sixteenth 
century ;  in  connexion  with  the  predictions  record- 
ed in  the  sacred  Oracles,  will  be  successively  delin- 
eated. The  progress  of  that  brilliant  flood  of  light 
which  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  incited  Luther,  Cal- 
vin, Zuinglius,  Knox,  Cranmer,  and  their  coadjutors  to 
pour  upon  the  nations  which  were  immersed  in  ig- 
norance and  corruption,  will  then  be  pourtrayed/ 
After  which  the  general  influence  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, a  theme  equally  delightful  in  retrospect,  as 
exhilarating  in  anticipation;  and  a  view  of  the  diver- 
sified means  organized  to  extend  universally  the 
knoM  ledge  of  Christ  and  him  crucilied,  with  particu- 
lar reference  to  the  advancement  of  "Pure  and  un- 

1.  Appendix  I. 


8  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  t. 

defiled  religion"  in  these  confederated  Republics,  will 
complete  the  design  of  these  Lectures. 

The  wisdom  and  mercy  of  the  Saviour  of  Sinners 
are  equally  elucidated  by  the  adoption  of  a  popular 
address,  as  the  most  eihcient  method  to  euiighten 
and  impress  mankind.  From  their  multifarious  and 
active  engagements,  many  persons  possess  little  lei- 
sure and  less  inclination  to  read  and  meditate  even 
on  those  subjects  which  conduce  to  tiieir  everlast- 
ing peace;  but  by  this  medium  their  minds  arc  expand- 
ed and  their  hearts  cheered — the  presence  of  others 
uniting  in  their  reflections  relieves  them  from  the 
dullness  of  splitude,  and  they  easily  imbibe  at  once 
that  accumulated  intelligence  which  is  abstracted 
from  a  variety  of  books,  that  they  niigiht  realize  nei- 
ther patience  nor  opportunity  effectually  to  peruse. 

It  is  proposed  therefore  to  select  the  inc*^t  popular 
and  strikiug  facts  only,  to  notice  those  stars  of  the 
first  magnitude  who  have  successively  shone  in  the 
Christian  constellations,  and  thence  to  deduce  those 
instructions  which  shall  establish  our  faith  in  Divine 
Providence,  our  hope  in  redeeming  mercy,  our  con- 
viction of  the  divine  Government  in  our  world,  our 
resignation  to  the  disposals  of  the  King  of  Saints,  and 
our  inflexible  resolution  to  imitate  the  examples  of 
them  who  through  much  tribulation  having  entered 
the  kingdom  of  heaven,  are  now  in  the  beautiful 
vision  of  God  resounding  the  incessant  and  eternal 
chorus,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  tliat  was  slain;  blessing 
and  honor,  glory  and  power,  be  unto  him  that  sitteth 
upon  the  throne  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever.— Amen." 

JVhat  bsnrfits  may  be  anticipated  from  a  review  of 
ecclesiastical  history  ? 

I.  A  complete  antidote  to  wihclirf 

The  annals  of  the  Christian  church,  are  equally 
adapted  to  slay  the  proud  Scorner's  atheistic  tenden- 
cies, and  the  timid  Disciple's  unbelieving  terrors.  We 
scan  the  record,  and  we  mark  the  presence  of  the 
supreme  Jehovah.  He  who  decides  with  rationality, 
can  no  more  attentively  reflect  upon  the  historical 


IN7  RODUCTORY.  9 

jpageai^^i^  Ghristifimty  withottt  a  resistless  conviction 
that  he  who  saiti^  "let  there  be  light  and  there  was 
4ight,  lias  also' commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of 
d'cii^kflf^ye,  to  give  -  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of 
the  glory  of  God  in  the  fac6  of  Jesus  Christ." 
than  he  can  confute  his  own  personal  identity.  But 
it  is  a  melancholy,  lamentable  truth,  that  men  gene- 
rally are  altogether  ignorant  of  this  most  necessary 
source  of  intelligence — hence  they  pretend  to  Iniidel 
scruples,  because  they  shun  the  illumination  in  the 
beams  of  which  their  doubts  and  scruples  would 
vanish. 

The  timidity  of  a  sincere  disciple  may  be  fostered 
by  similar  negligence:  We  should  deem  it  highly 
dishonorable  for  a  child  not  to  feel  interested  in 
some  information  respecting  the  residences,  habits, 
opinions  ^nd  character  of  his  Ancestors;  important 
effects  may  flow  from  his  intimate  acquaintance  with 
their  past  history  ;  his  corrupt  propensities  may  be 
counteracted  by  the  remembrance  of  their  piety, 
and  his  virtuous  resolutions  may  be  fortified  by  the 
Example  of  their  courage  in  adversity.  It  is  much 
more  the  duty  of  every  Christian  to  know  the  pil- 
^grimage  of  his  Predecessors  in  the  faith  ;  and  hence 
the  study  of  the  holy  Bible  is  continually  urged  up- 
on us  with  the  utmost  earnestness,  hy  precept, "  Search 
■the  Scriptures,;"  and  by  example,  "  The  Bereans  were 
more  noble  thnn  those  of  Thessalonica,  because 
they  received  tlie  word  with  all  readiness  of  mind  and 
isearched  the  Scriptures  daily,  whether  these  things 
were  so."  While  we  do  not  exalt  the  fragile  records 
t>f  the  Church  by  human  pens,  to  the  authority  or  to 
an  equality  with  the  imperishable  dictates  of  super- 
nal inspiration,  it  may  be  admitted  that  the  former 
are  supplementary  to  the  sacred  Oracles,  and  should 
liiaintain  the  second  rank  in  our  regard  and  attention. 

In  the  human  heart  natai'ally  is  found  a  disposition 
to  disbelieve  the  divine  existence,  to  discard  the  su- 
premacy ofGod,  to  deny  our  obligations  of  obedience 
to  his  commandments,  and  to  disown  future  rctribu- 
B, 


10  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  I. 

tion. — The  volume  of  celestial  revelation  was  pro- 
muiged  to  exterminate  these  irreligious  principles 
and  sensibilities  from  the  soul;  and  to  implant  sub- 
lime, consistent,  reverential  sentiments  concerning 
the  Godhead;  with  enlarged  vieAvs  of  our  character, 
duties  and  destinies  as  men.  This  native  infidelity 
is  banished  by  the  word  of  God,  and  in  its  stead  a 
vital  faith  is  substituted.  It  is  not  presumed  that 
similar  effl^cts  would  result  from  the  most  amplilied 
knowledge  of  Ecclesiastical  History;  because  failh 
cannot  be  generated,  nor  can  its  eiiicacy  be  sustain- 
ed without  t!ie  word  of  God;  but  as  a  Coadjutor, 
the  records  of  the  Church  present  innumerable  and 
most  cogent  arguments  to  arrest  the  influence  of  our 
uabelief  and  to  give  energy  to  that  faith  "  which 
overcometh  the  worll. "  Nevertheless  it  must  be 
remarked,  that  no  doctrine  taught  by  any  Expositor, 
no  ceremony  practised  by  Christians  of  any  age  or 
country,  no  govenimeiit  or  laws  which  have  been 
estiblished  at  any  period,  should  be  admitted  as  au- 
thoritative, unless  they  are  sanctioned  by  "  Thus 
sailh  the  Lord  ;"  and  no  example  must  be  imitated, 
unless  it  flowed  from  "the  same  mind  which  Avas  also 
in  Christ  Jesus."  With  this  proviso,  in  the  history  of 
the  Christian  church,  appears  such  multiplied  proofs 
of  the  pouer,  wisdom,  interposition,  justice,  and  mer- 
cy of  God,  that  every  species  of  unbelief  must,  under 
the  operation  of  their  influence,  when  duly  scrutini- 
zed, be  completely  confounded,  if  not  totally  extir- 
pated. Thus  an  additional  alterative  is  obtained  a- 
gainst  the  mortal  poison  which  creeps  through  our. 
veins,  and  which  must  be  extinguished  or  we  die  for 
ever. 

//.  The  spirit  of  acceptable  devotion. 
In  the  most  eventful  and  perilous  storms  of  perse- 
cutioji,  with  which  the  Lord  permitted  his  sheep  to 
be  agitated  and  worried,  it  was  a  proverb,  that  bcr 
came  at  last,  from  its  long  experienced  truth,  a  Chris- 
tian axiom,  "  tiie  blood  of  tjjc  Martyrs  is  the  seed  of 
the  churcli,"     In  this  aspect,  how  worthy  of  all  our 


INTROErCTORY.  1 ] 

devotion  and  confidence,  does  that  King  of  Saints 
appear,  who  from  the  conflagration  of  his  adopted 
children  could  produce  the  conversion  of  their  exe- 
cutioners, who  by  the  corporeal  murder  of  one  Chris- 
tian could  quicken  blind,  dead  idolaters,  to  spiritual 
sight  and  life  !  Are  jour  affections  dull,  jour  intel- 
lects benumbed,  the  powers  of  the  soul  torpid  ?™ 
ily  to  Jerusalem.  Hear  Stephen,  the  Proto-Martjr, 
whose  wisdom  and  spirit  were  irresistible,  and  who 
"full  of  faith  and  power  did  great  wonders  and  mira- 
cles''—mark  the  rage  of  his  envenomed  Judges,  thej 
gnash  on  him  with  their  teeth^ — listen  to  his  defence  ; 
watch  him — his  ejes  are  elevated  to  the  heavens ; 
those  heavens  he  saw  opened,  and  the  crucified 
Messiah  enthroned  in  celestirJ  glorj.  The  rage  cf 
his  enemies  could  no  longer  be  restrained,  thej  si- 
lenced his  eloquence  by  their  vociferatioii,  stopped 
their  ears,  forciblj  seized  him,  dragged  him  out  of 
the  citj,  and  there  stoned  him  into  Paradise.  His 
di/ing  confidence^  "the  Son  of  Man  standing  on  the 
right  hand  of  God"  to  receive  his  spirit;  his  last  words, 
the  prajer  of  affection  for  his  deluded  assailants. — 
Every  particle  of  this  narrative  inspires  devotional 
sensibilities.  Here  the  presence  of  the  adorable 
Jesus,  "  Him  who  is  exalted  Prince  and  a  Saviour," 
in  his  peopfe's  distress  is  unequivocallj  attested,  to 
encourage  our  confidence — here  the  natural  enmity 
of  the  human  heart  against  revealed  truth  is  distinct- 
ly exemplified  to  excite  our  remorse  and  vigilance 
against  the  intrusions  of  this  unh;;]lovt'ed  temper — - 
here  the  spirit  of  Christiaiiiiy  is  triumphnntiy  dis- 
played, in  disarming  the  injured  of  the  most  powerful 
passion  of  corrupt  humon  nature,  rereuge,  and  in  tranr- 
forming  the  fury  of  mnlediclion  into  the  transports  of 
filial  and  believing  imploralion,  that  we  may  remem- 
ber the  value  of  prayer,  when  we  combine  with  Ste- 
phen's dying  intercession,  the  subsequent  renovation 
and  labors  of  Paul — and  here  the  decisive  superiority 
of  the  religionof  Jesus  to  all  other  systems  of  theolo- 
gy and  morals  which  have  ever  been  devised  among 


12  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIHTORY.  LECTURE  I. 

men  is  irrefragably  certified,  as  it  imparts  to  its  posv 
sessors  a  tranquillity  which  injustice  cannot  interfiipt, 
and  which  an  unexpected  and  merciless  death  canfiot 
diminish.     These  views  are  more  than  sufficient  to 
educe  all  the  ardors  of  praise,  the  lervour  oflove,  and 
ceaseless  ebullitions  of  gratitude  to  him  who  can  thus 
regenerate  the  soul,  and  qualify  it  for  an  admission 
into  those  mansions  of  bliss  which  he  is  gone  before 
to  prepare  tbr  them,  "•  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our 
Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ."     :  ;'*!><>!:!  <j  ,.,.,•> 
Who  can  hear  a  Martyr  exp,ressTng^his(>conte!3ip't 
for  "  all  that  earth  calls  good  and  great,"  contrasted. 
M'ith  the  approbation  of  the  Redeemer,  the  Son  of 
man  "who  shall  judge  the  world  in  righteousness," 
and  not  feel  the  incapacity  of  things  terrestial  to  sat- 
isfy the  desires  of  the  immortal  soul  ?  and  their  insig- 
nificant value,  when  compared  with  that  "  good  hope 
through  grace"  which  terror  could  not  shake,  and 
which  the  "midst  of  the  burning  fiery  furnace"  could 
not  consume  ?     Who  can  listen  to  an  outcast  fronk 
earth,  proclaiming  the  conquests  of  redemption,  and 
"  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,"  to  the  obdurate 
sinners  who  have  unjustly  exposed  him  on  the  cross, 
as  food  for  birds  of  prey,  and  not  admire  the  impress, 
of  a  gracious  Saviour's  hand  ?  Who  can  stand  around 
the  stake  to  which  are  chained  the  despi^ad  disciples 
of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  view  the  llames  which  destroy 
their  tortured  limbs,  and  hear  the  M^arblings  of  their 
dying  hallelujahs,  without  corresponding  emotions  in 
his  soul  ?     On  scenes  like  these  we  may  gaze  with 
conllicting  sensations  of  rapture,  until,  like  the  dis- 
ciples travelling  to  Emmaus,  "  our  liearts  burn  within 
us,"  while  the  Lord  walks  with  us  in  tlie  way,  and  from 
the  pages  of  his  servants'  history,  more  lucidly  opens 
to  us  the  Scriptures.     Dead  indeed  must  be  the  sen- , 
sibilities  of  that  man,  who  can  behold  these  august  ev- 
idences of  Christianity  witliout  solicitude,  when  he 
scrutinizes  his  own  dilFerent  situation;  and  cold  must 
be  the  feelings  of  that  disciple  who  can  pass  by  like 
the  Priest    and    the    Levite,    and  enjoy  no  sacred 


.         i    ,  INTRODUCTORY.  13 

warmth,  when  he  contemplates  the  chariot  of  fire 
which  waits  the  triumphant  Believer  from  great  trib- 
uiations  to  the  New  Jerusalem. 
///.  -A  luminous  commentary  upon  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 
To  the  sacred  volume  we  are  instrumentally  in- 
debted for  all  our  intellectual  expansion,  and  all  our 
social  superiority  over  those  nations  where  the  Surj 
of  Righteousness  has  not  yet  arisen  with  healing  in 
his  wings.  The  truth  cannot  be  too  often  repeated^ 
cannot  be  too  deeply  impressed  upon  all  descriptions 
of  men,  that  the  moral  maladies  of  the  human  family 
admit  but  one  mode  of  cure,  and  the  evils  which 
originate  in  sin  have  hitherto  been  mitigated  only  by 
the  Balm  of  Gilead,  the  diffusion  and  reception  of 
the  Gospel.  Hence,  every  proper  attempt  to  cor- 
roborate its  truth,  to  illustrate  its  doctrines,  and  to 
enforce  its  injunctions,  must  be  beneficial.  But  to 
what  sources  shall  we  apply  for  confirmation  of  the 
Book,  except  to  the  histories  which  are  a  continua- 
tion, though  written  by  fallible  and  uninspired  men, 
of  the  divinely  revealed  oracles  ?  whence  can  we 
more  precisely  ascertain  the  purport  of  our  standard 
of  faith  and  practice,  than  by  investigating  the  opin- 
ions of  all  those  who  have  received  it  as  an  infalli- 
ble Arbiter,  and  by  comparing  their  decisions  with 
it,  thence  to  educe  our  own  conclusions  ?  how  can 
the  precepts  of  Christ  derive  higher  exemplary  sanc- 
tion, than  by  a  delineation  of  that  practical  conform- 
ity which  has  been  shewn  to  them  in  all  ages  by  the 
most  dignified  members  of  the  human  family,  and  by 
an  exhibition  of  the  advantages  which  have  invari- 
ably accompanied  unreserved  obedience  and  fidel- 
ity to  the  law  of  Christ  ? 

It  has  been  sometimes  intimated,  that  christians 
professedly  receive  the  gospel  from  a  sinister  motive, 
which  designates  them  hypocrites^  or  from  a  weak  in- 
tellect, which  supposes  them  incompetent  to  form  a 
correct  judgment.  May  not  this  odious  insinuation 
be  confuted  ?  Since  the  apostolic  era,  or  at  least- 
since  the  miraculous  gifts  to  the  church  have  been 


14  ECCLEgIA'-.TK;AL    HfHTOKV.  /.FXTLRF.  I. 

rio  longer  r^xpcmnccd,  lf»c  votario**  of  christijifiify 
dread  iiotliitij^  wh*;n  (jyityrHHicA  witfi  thoir  crifmir-H, 
either  in  tiunibfrrft,  virtu*?,  or  illnrnination :  anfl  it  will 
bn  no  Hfnall  a<;q«jif-^ilir>r],  could  this  fffrrt  alofif  he 
pro(J(if.<:rl  \>y  u.  nv'i*;w  ol*  Ecch-Hijifttirjil  ili^.tf;ry — jin 
ijii^h-'ikr  ji  (:orivi<;liori  ttuit.  vvitii  lh(;  «ifi<"rTC  rf.'C^-ption 
of  chrifitimjLty  in  ifirJihwoluMy  coruhiriftd,  all  that 
vviiich  can  irifusr?  flrivofion,  purify  thr;  hffirt,  ♦fiiarf^c 
tho  uncJf;rKt,arjrliri^,  prorriot,*;  prfHr-rit.  coffiff^rt.  and 
ifnp'ant.  ttif;  a>,mjrf;(l  af»licipat.if)f»s  of  hili<:i(y  c.vrrlnHt- 
ifig.  In  ihiH  portion  ofthf;  annalh  frxpJHKJcd  (or  the 
iriHpeetion  of  man,  the  Haered  volume  is  eopionsly 
ehieidated.  Kvctry  perleetion  ol  thf!  Deity  is  dis- 
phiyed  ;  all  the  attrihule^  <A'  the  Mediator'^  govern- 
ment are  urdolded  ;  the  myf;t(;rieH  oi'  K<'flen)ption  ;irf» 
r;xhihit^;d  ;  the  deelaratioriH  of'lVopheey  are  rnlhlled  ; 
Man  appears  in  all  the  dignity  arjd  perfeetio/j,  of 
whieh  our  nature  in  this  iiilerior  fttate  prohfjhiy  in 
HU«.eeptihle  :  here  we  behold  demonHtniteil,  "  tliat  in 
the  way  of  ri^hteounneKH  in  life,  and  in  tlK*  pathway 
thereof  iH  no  death" — tf»f;  pil(^rirriji<;e  to  Canaan  in  so 
hjridiy  marked,  tfjat  the  tr;ivrller  iH  eheered  with 
additional  rei^plendirney,  and  tlie  ^ates  of  ParadiHe 
are  hrou'/ht  witliifi  the  vision  of  hi.s  eru'aptured  soul 
and  in<',(I;»l>ly  erdar^^ed  c'jipneitioH.  '^I'huH  .-idruittin^ 
the  divine  word  hh  our  orily  svuthori/ed  Ht.'ind.'i rd  oi" 
all  reli^iou^i  opinionfl  and  aetiorjs,  yet  we  HJiidl  diH- 
cover  in  th<r  pro^rriH^iive  flH^cn  of  our  r.owvHit^  (toutin- 
«al  rejiHon  to  adore  tfur  Hi^h  arid  f-.ofty  on<*  wlio  in* 
hahit.H  eternity,  to  love  the  nMniifieent  Sjiviour,  to 
hr)nour  th<!  hleHM;d  de;id  who  havritlied  in  the  Lord  ; 
and  Hh;dl  rer-f'ive  <*onfirfrnition  of  our  fjiith,  nnd  in- 
HJruetion  in  our  <luty,  while  our  hefirtn  eimohh-d  and 
enlijihtened  hy  thene  j^rnnd  cxemplarH,  inuy  therrhy 
''  jrrow  in  ^raee,  jirid  in  the  knowled<^e  of  our  Lord 
and  Sjjvioin-  .femjM  C^fniHt," 

/K    7'///;  proper  InlrfKluclimi  to  <ill  rinl  hhldrif. 
A  i'ornpctidiouH  narrf^tive  of  the  mutjitionn  tlirou<!(h 
vvhieh   tlw  ehMr<'h  luis  [inMHed,  foi'rriH  the  most  nppro- 
priate  aecompfminKnt   for  th<;   liihie  oi    truth,  an<l 


LVTRODUCTORV.  15 

should  bo  univorsnllv  poriised  as  the  only  ^iiro  guide 
to  ail  other  hisstorieal  annals.  This  mouIiI  reduce 
all  our  kuonledi;0  ijito  regular  order:  but  aeeording 
to  our  usual  s>sieiu,  aji  inversion  has  been  establisli- 
eil,  and  that  >vluch  sliould  be  tirsl.  is  either  last  or 
totally  obliterated. 

ir  every  book  is  charaolerized  by  delect,  exeept 
the  voluuu>  ot' supernal  revelation,  and  if  that  defeet 
is  proportionate  to  the  distance  ut  uhicli  it  is  re- 
uio\ed  iVoin  the  centre  ot'pertectiou:  how  important 
is  it.  espiH'ially  to  youth,  that  ere  corruption  eotn- 
nieuees  its  unhallo\ved  dominion,  the  pure  light 
sliould  irradiate  the  heart,  ami  the  nol>lest  of  men 
be  vi(Mved  as  examples.  ^Ve  introduce  our  >outli  to 
the  sacred  scriptures  as  the  fust  Hook,  and  instead  of 
sanctioning-  the  cIUhIs  which  it  produces,  by  a  course 
of  reading-  wlilch  may  eijually  instruct,  interest,  and 
corroborate  the  salutary  impressions  educed  by  the 
holy  dotMriues  and  lives  o\  the  departed  saints,  we 
trausler  their  attention  from  Mount  Zion  anil  the 
heavenly  ,lerusaltMn,  to  Greece  and  Rome,  and  the 
pav;es  of  those  la  hies,  which  can  have  no  other  ten- 
dtuicy  tluui  to  vitiate  their  princi])les,  while  it  sinud- 
tan<H)Usly  augmeius  the  innate  corruption  o(  the 
heart. 

The  object  of  "  the  glorious  gospel  o(  the  ever 
blt^sseil  Ciod.''  is  to  awaken  in  the  soul  of  man  that 
"  (ear  ol  the  Lord  w  Inch  is  the  beginning  oi'  w  isdom  ;•' 
by  recalling  to  tlu^  reniiniseenee  of  the  torgetiul,  the 
(ln>ng!uless,  uud  the  obdurate  siniuM",  the  immensity 
oi  {\\c  tlivine  ptMl'ections,  and  tlie  truth  oi'  our  re- 
sponsibility. Hence  a  mind  not  predisposed  thus  to 
b(*hokl  the  gevernuuMit  of  Jehovah  in  all  suhhmarv 
atliiirs,  might  scrutinize  all  the  records  connecUHl 
\\'\[\\  ]U'ofane  history,  without  knowing  any  God  but 
the  phantom  of  a  mythology  as  absurd  as  it  is  dclil- 
iug,  ami  without  contemplating  any  ext^mplars  except 
men  wliose  predominant  pa.ssions  anil  uniform  con- 
ilnct,  instead  of  being-  calmly  pourtraved,  should 
ne>  er  be  adduced,  except  aia  a  beacon  to  cautioji  ; 


10  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  I, 

until  at  length,  the  stupifying  potion  has  almost  if  not 
entirely  expunged  the  prior  impressions  engendered 
by  divine  Truth  :  but  a  knowledge  of  Ecclesiastical 
History,  would  on  the  contrary  increase  the  iniluence 
of  the  verities  which  a  perusal  of  the  sacred  oracles 
might  have  imprinted  on  the  heart  ;  and  thereibre, 
an  acquaintance  with  the  prominent  facts  w  liich  have 
occurred  amid  the  revolutions  of  Christianity,  is  not 
only  proper,  but  indispensable. 

Is  it  obvious  that  the  moral  qualities  of  man  are 
of  tlie  highest  regard,  and  demand  our  primary  at- 
tention ;  and  that  nothing  adventitious,  whether  in 
intellect,  or  station,  or  acquisitions,  is  truly  deserving 
of  esteem,  except  it  contributes  to  render  the  pos- 
sessor more  useitd  and  beneficial  in  this  state  of  pro- 
bation, and  to  imbue  him  with  superior  qualifications 
for  the  immortality  before  us,  when  the  corporeal 
powers  shall  be  stilled  by  the  grasp  of  death,  and 
inclosed  in  the  oblivious  recesses  of  the  tomb  ?  Then, 
to  wiiat  sources  of  information  must  we  apply  for 
correct  ideas  of  the  Deity,  especially  in  his  govern- 
ment of  the  world  ?  Undoubtedly,  to  those  histories 
in  which  his  perfections  are  ever  recognized,  and 
the  w^hole  train  of  diversified  change  is  attributed  to 
the  divine  permission,  or  direction,  or  immediate  in- 
terposition. But  this  grand  stimulus  to  virtue,  the 
impressive  reality  of  the  divine  omniscience,  is  either 
diminished  or  forgotten  in  all  other  records  ;  and 
this  general  position  will  apply  to  every  other  truth, 
the  operation  of  which  is  intended  to  glorify  God, 
and  to  promote  the  welfare  of  men.  To  tlie  holy 
scriptures  we  must  ever  primarily  refer  for  all  that 
knowledge  which  is  requisite  to  our  sanctification 
and  peace  ;  and  if  this  instruction  be  all-important, 
it  follows,  that  it  is  a  most  incumbent  duty,  to  assist 
the  influence  of  tliese  doctrines  by  tlie  sanctions 
which  tliey  derive  from  their  actual  display  in  the 
lives  and  actions  of  those  who  professed  to  have  been 
governed  by  them.  Hence,  it  is  incontestable,  that 
a  mind  fraught  with  moral  and  religious  iniluence, 


INTRODUCTORY.  l7 

sfnti  an  enlarged  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  the 
Church  of  Christ,  is  much  more  prepared  to  peruse 
with  advantage  the  annals  of  the  world ;  and  although 
the  whole  tenor  of  the  author's  narrative  might  in- 
duce a  thoughtless  reader  to  suppose  that  "  there  is 
no  God,"  or  at  least  to  forget  the  exactitude  of  his 
dispensations,  and  the  minuteness  of  his  attentions 
to  all  the  ajffairs  of  mankind ;  yet  from  the  vivid  and 
permanent  sensibilities  excited  by  the  Gospel,  and 
the  delineation  of  its  elfects  as  embodied  in  the  Mar- 
tyrs and  Reformers,  he  will  be  disposed  to  admire 
the  control  of  that  supreme,  invisible  hand,  which 
primarily  impelled,  and  which  still  regulates  the  ma- 
chinery of  the  Universe.  2. 

V.  A  treasury  of  self-knoivledge. 

We  have  often  admired  the  saying  of  the  antient 
Philosopher,  '•  knoio  thyself:^''  and  we  are  frequently 
admonished  that  "  the  proper  study  of  mankind  is 
man:"  admitting  this  truth,  the  most  efficacious  mode 
to  attain  this  knowledge  must  be  instantaneously 
approved.  If  the  history  of  the  world  exhibits  man 
in  all  his  variegated  hues,  and  of  course  enables  the 
beholder  accurately  to  estimate  his  diversified  qua- 
lities ;  if  in  biography,  his  characteristics  are  por- 
trayed with  perfect  individuality,  and  his  features 
are  distinctly  depicted;  indubitably,  these  points 
are  much  more  advantageously  and  precisely  ascer- 
tained in  the  records  of  the  Christian  Church.  The 
good  and  the  evil  are  so  indiscriminately  blended  in 
profane  history,  that  it  is  very  often  almost  impossi- 
ble to  separate  them  ;  and  it  is  very  common  for  per- 
sons through  this  combination  to  contract  an  equal 
fondness  for  the  vile  as  the  precious,  until  the  influ- 
ence of  this  unhallov/ed  amalgamation  becomes  in  a 
measure  incorporated  in  their  own  hearts  and  prac- 
tice. 

This  pernicious  consequence  cannot  attend  the 
proper  study  of  Christian  history.  In  every  stage,  in 
every  important  occurrence,  in  every  character  of 

2.  Appendix  II. 


1&  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTC-RY.  LECTURE  L 

notice  and  interest,  the  line  of  demareation  is  so- 
plainly  drawn,  that  it  cannot  become  obscured. — 
The  distinctions  between  truth  and  error,  vice  and 
virtue,  rectitude  and  injustice,  barbarism  and  phi- 
lanthrophy  are  so  invariably  maintained  and  so  lu- 
cidly exhibited,  that  it  is  impossible  for  the  most 
superficial  observer  to  commingle  them.  Consequent- 
ly in  every  step  of  his  route  the  Traveller  finds  a 
source  of  knoAvledge  in  application  to  his  ow  n  cha- 
racter; and  his  mind  is  insensibly,  yet  additionally 
impressed,  with  the  importance,  the  benefits,  and  the 
celestial  origin  of  the  sacred  books.  In  the  annals 
of  the  church  of  Christ,  the  virtues  of  which  man  is 
capable  are  exemplified  in  their  most  fascinating  ap- 
pearance ;  and  the  vices  to  which  sinners  are  prone 
ixre  displayed  in  all  their  undisguised  deformity. — 
The  natural  darkness  which  beclouds  the  human 
mind,  and  the  depravity  which  sways  his  soul  are 
clearly  discerned;  while  in  all  the  effulgence  of 
meridian  splendour,  we  witness  the  expulsion  of  the 
mental  gloom,  and  admire  the  w  ondrous  transforma- 
tion which  opens  the  blind  eyes  and  whitens  the 
Ethiopian's  skin,  Christianity  expands  her  archives, 
and  proclaims  man,  a  creature  destined  for  an  im- 
mortal existence,  this  alone  gives  to  ecclesiastical 
history  an  irrefragable  and  an  incalculable  superi- 
ority over  all  the  other  details  of  nations.  Every 
page  is  fraught  with  serious  recollections  ;  by  which 
we  are  reminded  of  the  divine  government,  our  per- 
sonal obligations,  our  ineffable  responsibility,  the 
misery  of  an  exposure  to  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb,  and 
the  extatic  peace  which  accompanies  the  expe- 
rience of  the  divine  favour.  The  successive  charac- 
ters which  are  depicted,  furnishing  either  a  caution 
to  alarm  or  an  example  to  imitate,  convince  the  mind- 
without  a  long  process  to  analyze  the  composition  ; 
because  the  particles  though  combined  are  so  dis- 
tinct that  the  grandeur  and  simplicity  of  virtue  are  in- 
tuitively separated  from  the  tortuous  baseness  of 
■vice.   Thus,  as  in  a  glass,  we  behold  the  secret  move- 


ISTRODL'CT®R\.  19 

-jfients  of  our  hearts,  and  the  ahiiost  mysterious  con- 
tradictions which  adhere  to  the  human  character  j 
and  when  it  is  subjoined,  that  since  the  period  of 
Constantine's  reign,  the  history  of  the  Saviour's  king- 
dom inchides  all  that  which  is  truly  interesting  in  the 
affairs  of  men,  we  have  an  insuperable  argument  for 
the  Course  of  Lectures  now  proposed. 

If  it  thus  appear  evident,  that  an  acquaintance 
with  the  events  which  have  transpired  during  the 
existence  of  the  Christian  church  is  the  most  proper 
introdb^ction  to  the  perusal  of  the  other  annals  of  our 
globe  ;  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  ample  sources  of  self- 
knowledge  ;  that  it  affords  a  most  lucid  commentary 
upon  the  sacred  volume;  that  it  furnishes  a  strong - 
antidote  to  unbelief,  and  nurtures  the  spirit  of  ardent 
and  acceptable  devotion ;  it  requires  no  additional 
recommendation  to  urge  our  scrutiny  of  the  promi- 
nent circumstances  Avhich  in  the  successive  ages  of 
Christianity  have  occurred ;  especially  as  not  amuse- 
ment only  but  illumination  is  sought,  and  not  instruc- 
tion alone  but  also  our  melioration  may  be  obtained. 

However,  it  must  be  recollected  that  we  are  about 
to  survey  a  very  extensive  field,  to  examine  contro- 
versies which  have  agitated  nations,  and  divided  the 
members  professedly  of  the  same  household,  and  to 
investigate  doctrines,  opinions,  characters,  ceremo- 
nies and  institutions,  on  the  correctness  of  which 
many  may  have  already  decided.  It  becomes  us 
therefore,  to  divest  ourselves  of  our  preconceived 
prejudices,  that  we  may  derive  from  this  research, 
that  spiritual  edification  which  the  Martyrology  of 
the  Saints  and  the  triumphs  of  Reformers  are  calcu- 
ed  to  produce ;  even  from  listening  to  the  perverse 
disputings  of  men,  that  we  maybe  established  in  the 
faith  and  hope  of  the  Gospel;  and  that  the  v,retch- 
edness  which  has  attended  the  last  terrestial  days  of 
Persecutors  may  inspire  us  Avith  a  holy  aversion  from 
all  those  feelings  and  excitements  which  are  incom- 
patible with  Christian  charity;  witliout  which,  all 
eloquence,  all  knowledge,  all  power,  and  all  suffer' 


^20  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  1. 

ing  "  profit  us  nothing,  but  are  sounding  brass  and  a 
tinkling  cymbal."  iT  our  meditations  shall  educe 
these  elTects,  we  shall  not  regret  the  hours  devoted 
to  an  examination  of  the  progress  and  influence  of 
Christianity  from  that  glorious  Pentecostal  morn  to 
the  present  period ;  while  the  narrative  of  past  ev- 
ents will  radically  impress  the  conviction,  that  we 
indulge  only  the  anticipations  of  certitude,  when  we 
exult  in  the  speedy  approach  of  the  reverberations 
of  that  blissful  trumpet  which  the  seventh  angel  shall 
sound,  and  in  answer  to  w  hich  ''  the  great  voices  in 
heaven"  shall  say ;  "  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  are 
become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ ; 
Alleluia,  for  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  reigneth,  and 
he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."  Amen. 


^h'^OStlSs^' (And' ^Evangelists — the  doctrines  and  disci- 
Kiplino-^the  persecutions — and  the  progress  of  the  church 
^Ufkl0  the  first  century. 

The  history  of  the  Christian  church  during  the  first 
century,  is  chiefly  comprised  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apos- 
tles, and  the  epistolary  part  of  the  New  Testament. 
The  command  of  the  ascending  Messiah,  which  en- 
joined upon  the  Apostles,  that  "  repentance  and  re- 
mission of  sin,  should  be  preached  in  the  name  of  Je- 
sus Christ,  beginning  at  Jerusalem"  w  as  strictly  fulfil]- 
ed:  for  immediately  after  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  in- 
spired followers  of  Immanuel  commenced  the  pro- 
mulgation of  those  celestial  doctrines,  which  have 
illuminated  and  metamorphosed  the  world. 

The  stupendous  results  of  Peter's  first  sermon,  of 
Stephen's  martyrdom,  and  of  Paul's  conversion  were 
accelerated  and  augmented  by  those  identical  meth- 
ods which  the  enemies  of  the  truth  adopted  to  inter- 
rupt and  exterminate  them.  Persecution  erected 
its  hell-incarnadined  banner  and  severed  the  Apos- 
tles ;  driving  them  with  relentless  fury  into  all  sec- 
tions of  the  Roman  Empire.  By  this  dispersion,  "the 
glorious  Gospel  of  the  ever  blessed  God"  was  re- 
sounded from  India  to  Spain,  and  from  the  Danube 
to  the  Lybian  deserts.  Few  are  the  records  of  the 
primitive  disciples  which  have  survived  the  corro- 
sions of  seventeen  centuries — but  some  facts  may  be 
collected,  from  which  their  dispositions,  the  features 
of  the  truth  which  they  believed,  and  the  distinctive 
characteristics  of  the  christian  church  can  be  ascer- 
tained. 

/.    The  Apostles  and  Evangelists. 

After  Stephen,  James  the  son  of  Zebedee  died  by 
the  swor^  of  Herod.     Of  his  exit,  an  interesting  and 


22  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE   U* 

marvellous  fact  is  detailed.  The  man  who  had  drag* 
ged  him  before  Herod's  tribunal,  ^vhen  he  perceived 
his  submission  to  the  barbarous  and  unjust  sentence 
which  doomed  him  to  death,  struck  with  remorse, 
and  suddenly  converted  by  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  was 
turned  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God,  conlessed 
the  Lord  .Jesus  with  great  boldness,  and  was  con- 
ducted with  the  Apostle  to  the  same  block ;  having 
implored  James'  forgiveness,  having  heard  the  Apos' 
tolic  "Peace  be  to  thee,"  and  having  received  tiie 
kiss  of  charity,  they  were  both  beheaded  together: 
exhibiting  the  noble  fruits  of  apostolic  example,  and 
the  blessed  eihcacy  of  redeeming  grace. 

James,  the  author  of  the  Epistle,  who  by  his  extraor- 
dinary religious  qualifications  had  acquired  the  name 
of  the  Just,  was  forced  by  his  enemies  to  ascend  the 
pinnacle  of  the  temple,  there  to  declaim  against  that 
Christianity,  to  the  faith  of  which  he  had  been  asto- 
nishingly instrumental  in  adding  converts — when  thus 
exalted,  the  eyes  of  his  mind  being  enlightened,  he 
avowed,  "that  Jesus  Christ  was  sitting  at  the  right 
hand  of  God,  and  would  come  again  with  power  in 
the  clouds  of  heaven."  They  commanded  him  to  be 
hurled  from  the  battlement,  and  then  began  to  stone 
him — his  last  words ;  "Lord  God  and  Father,  I  be- 
seech thee  for  them,  they  know  not  what  they  do" — 
his  noble  eulogy^  a  Priest's  vociferation ;  "  Cease ;  the 
just  man  is  praying  for  you" — his  imperishahk  cpitapK 
the  testimony  of  Josephus;  "that  the  murder  of  James 
was  the  destruction  of  ill  fated  Jerusalem." 

Of  the  seven  other  Apostles  no  records  remain, 
except  a  general  tradition  that  in  various  parts  of  the 
globe  they  successfully  performed  the  duties  of  their 
high  vocation,  until  the  malignity  of  idolatrous  bar- 
barism commuted  their  terrestial  labour  for  heaven- 
ly rest,  and  the  "crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away." 
Andrew  is  related  to  have  been  crucified,  after  hav- 
ing displayed  the  utmost  fervour  against  the  prepos- 
terous worship  of  the  Heathens,  and  an  almost  incre- 
idible  constancy  during  the  terrific  preparations  which 


CENTURY    i.  23 

\vere  made  for  his  suspension  on  the  cross — com- 
Ininghiig  with  all  the  most  solemn  recollections  of 
his  Martyrs  death,  the  utmost  expansion  of  Christian 
benevolence. 

Peter's  wife  received  the  honour  of  martyrdom, 
prior  to  the  Apostle's  death  ;  as  she  was  conducted 
to  the  place  of  execution — "  Remember  the  Lord"^ 
cried  the  saint — and  soon  afterwards  he  was  called 
to  exercise  the  same  christian  magnanimity  and  af- 
fectionate recollection.  The  history  of  thajt  period 
assures  us  that  Peter  and  Paul  triumphed  on  the 
same  day  or  in  rapid  succession.  Peter  having  been 
crucified  with  his  head  reversed,  and  his  beloved 
brother  decapitated.  What  a  brilliant  vision — the 
Barbarian  could  dismember  his  body,  but  could  not 
shiver  the  crovv^n  of  righteousness  from  his  head!    3. 

John  survived  all  his  brethren  ;  and  after,  as  the 
ancients  narrate,  he  had  been  boiled  in  oil,  and 
drenched  with  poison,  he  was  banished  to  Patmos 
to  be  starved — but  there  he  found  Jehovah  Jireh, 
and  at  length  was  restored  to  his  former  residence  at 
Ephesus,  where  he  died  in  the  Lord. 

Nothing  more  accurately,  lucidly,  and  sweetly  de- 
picts the  spirit  of  those  primitive  ages,  than  the  apos- 
tolic sermon  which  the  superannuated,  enfeebled,  but 
gio.ving  John  constantly  repeated  on  every  Lord's 
day  in  the  assemblies  of  the  saints,  "  Children  love 
one  another."  This  he  declared  was  "the  one  thing- 
needful."  It  is  a  source  of  the  most  pungent  regret 
and  painful  humiliation,  that  the  dying  injunction  of 
the  last  of  the  Gracious  Redeemer's  associated  ser- 
vants has  not  uniformly  and  incessantly  been  exem- 
plified among  his  successors. 

//.  The  doctrines  and  discipline. 

The  moral  aspect  of  the  world  during  this  period, 
exhibits  the  most  surprising  revolution  conceivable; 
which  was  effected,  notwithstanding  the  united  op- 
position of  every  diversified  enemy. 

Learning  and  ignorance^  licentiousness  and  idola- 

X  Appendix  111. 


V,  !  ECGLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  II 

trv,  prejudice  and  bigotry,  ferocity  and  antiquated 
consecrations,  armed  wiiii  the  resistless  authority  of 
the  Roman  empire  were  roused  to  the  battle  ;  never- 
theless, the  impotent,  despised,  unlearned  Fishermen 
and  Tentmakers  sustained  by  him  who  on  Calvary- 
proclaimed,  ''It  is  finished" — vanquished  every  ioe. 
Where  they  Avalked,  diseases  lied ;  when  they  spake, 
the  benighted  understanding  was  enlightened,  the 
corrupt  inclinations  were  relbrmed,  the  sensual  al- 
fectioiis  were  purified; — where  they  sounded  the 
Jubilee  trumpet,  the  God  whom  the  nations  knew 
not  was  received,  the  Saviour  of  whom  they  had  not 
before  heard  was  trusted  and  loved;  and  the  barba- 
rism of  debased  seliishness  was  transformed  into  the 
purest  philanthrophy — thus  were  the  passions  sub- 
jected to  reason ,  the  rebels  against  God  bowed  to 
their  hitherto  unknown  Creator ;  they  who  shuddered 
at  pain  were  changed  into  monuments  of  patience  ; 
and  they  who  would  not  admit  either  tlie  gloomy 
word  or  the  sable  imagery  of  death  to  be  introduced 
in  their  presence,  now  benigidy  smiled  amid  its  most 
appalling  terrors,  and  meekly  exsiltif^d  in  their  ap- 
proach to  the  land  of  blissful  immortality.  Yet  the' 
church  possessed  no  terrestrial  dignity  or  civic  pow- 
er ;  these  were  her  decided  enemies  ;  nnd  all  that 
Christianity  could  claim  was  almost  exchisively  cir- 
cumscribed w  ithin  the  poor  of  the  world,  or  the 
undistinguished  mass  of  national  society. 

To  what  causes  must  such  stupendous  effects  be 
imputed  ? 

1.  Their  faith. — All  history  coincides  with  the  New 
Testament,  that  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  of  Christ 
were  universally  the  sole  topics  of  Apostolic  and 
Primitive  Preaching  .  That  Messiah,  who  is  despis- 
ed and  rejected  of  men,  was,  in  their  estimation. 
King  of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords:  that  baptisinnl 
covenant,  which  is  disregarded  from  infidelity,  was 
then  most  conscientiously  and  publicly  avowed  ,  and 
the  cross  of  Christ  was  their  only  hope,  and  boast, 
and  consolation. 


CENTURY    r.  25 

The  efficacious  atonement  of  the  merciful  Jesus 
then  constituted  t?ie  basis  of  acceptance  with  God, 
and  the  unceasing  source  of  solace  and  of  song.  It 
formed  the  corner  stone  of  all  their  experience,  of 
all  their  belief,  and  of  all  their  preaching.  The 
proposition  at  which  modern  pride  revolts,  and  with 
which  modern  reason  is  disgusted,  then  combined 
the  burden  of  their  hymns,  and  the  theme  of  their 
silver-tongued  eloquence — "  Christ  died,  the  just  for 
the  unjust,  to  bring  us  sinners  near  to  God."  How 
shall  a  sinner  be  righteous  before  the  Lord  ?  ^vRs  the 
inquiry  daily  propounded,  and  in  reply  continu;dly 
illustrated.  The  phantom  of  human  merit,  and  the 
visions  of  supererogatory  good  works,  were  not  in- 
cluded in  the  creed  which  they  adopted  ;  all  their 
justification  originated  in  faith  through  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  their  infallible  Instructor,  their  ethcacious 
Mediator,  their  righteous  Lawgiver,  and  by  him  they 
had  access  to  God  through  one  Spirit.  Hence,  all 
the  pungency  of  their  reproof,  and  all  the  thunder  of 
their  admonition,  invariably  tended  to  demolish  ev- 
ery hope  of  pacification  with  God — of  which  Imman- 
uel  did  not  form  the  only  basis.  But  how  might  this 
knowledge  be  acquired  ?  How  could  a  creature 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  be  made  alive  to  God, 
to  himself,  to  the  Savior,  to  eternity  ?  To  this  they 
replied,  by  directing  the  enquirer  to  the  Holy  Ghost, 
as  the  enlightener,  and  the  sanctifier  of  the  world. — 
That  humiliating  topic,  regeneration,  was  their  fun- 
damental position.  "  Ye  must  be  born  again,"  was 
continually  reiterated  ;  and  to  every  objection  re- 
specting the  instrument,  the  mode,  and  the  possibili- 
ty, they  gave  but  one  overwhelming  retort — "  Ex- 
cept ye  be  converted,  ye  cannot  enter  the  kingdom 
of  heaven — Thus  saith  the  Lord." 

As  long  as  these  heaven-born  doctrines  were 
plainly  and  energetically  enforced,  so  long  the  church 
retained  its  purity,  the  preaching  its  success,  and 
the  nations  their  edification — but  when  the  ridiculous 
perversions  of  men  concealed  these  celestial  verities, 
D 


Zb  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  IL 

and  buried  them  under  the  rubbish  of  fantastic  spec- 
ulalion,  and  the  chills  of  sepulchral  unbehef— then 
the  honors  of  the  only  Redeemer  were  appropriated 
to  legendary  saints — then  the  favour  of  heaven  was 
guaranteed  for  corporeal  austerities  or  pompous  ec- 
el.^si'istical  donations — then  the  ])eace  of  God  was 
insured,  not  lor  faith  and  holiness,  but  for  pecuniary 
mule  — -then  the  regeneration  of  the  Holy  Ghost 
w,iy  swuliowed  up  in  that  most  odious  of  all  blas- 
phemous substitutes,  priestly  absolution  ;  and  then 
the  entivii;ce  to  glory  everlasting  depended  not,  a? 
they  asserted,  upon  the  name  w  ritten  in  the  Lamb's 
book  of  life,  but  upon  a  Pope's  bull.  The  glorious 
Reformalio.i  dissipated  this  bbckness  of  darkness  ; 
and  the  resurrection  of  the  same  august  doctrines 
from  the  oblivious  vr:u!t  in  which  the  Papists  had  en- 
to:nb:.'d  them,  h  is  produced  similar  magnificent  con- 
sequences— the  melioration  of  the  nations  Avhere 
they  have  been  received,  ei  joyed  and  practised. 

The  whole  economy  of  grace,  so  consl^'ntly  unfold- 
ed by  the  pristine  preachers  in  the  Christian  Church, 
w.is  exactly  adapted  to  demonstrate  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  redemption  of  man.  While  they  humbly  con- 
fessed their  sin,  their  helplessness,  and  their  state  of 
perditiorj  of  w^hich  they  were  clftxtually  convinced  ; 
w  hde  tliey  relied  alone  for  salvation  upon  the  aton- 
ing blood,  the  perfect  righteousness,  and  the  preva- 
lent intercession  of  Jesus,  as  tlieir  only  hope  of 
heaven  :  and  while  they  acknowledged  themselves 
siiiful  atjd  vain,  without  the  constant  regenerating 
and  purilyiMg  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which 
were  their  common  privilege — they  were  constantly 
reminded  of  tlieir  obligations  to  the  Father  who 
loved  them  in  his  Son — to  the  Saviour  who  died  for 
their  redemption,  and  to  the  Comforter  who  enliven- 
ed, supported,  and  sanctified  them — thus  combined 
in  their  experience  and  practice,  they  worshipped, 
bdieved,  and  adored  the  God  of  Christianity,  in  con- 
l>  idistinction  from  the  idols  of  their  hands,  and  from 
th  )  d^test;;b!e  mythology  which  they  had  hithcrto 
hoAioured  and  trusted. 


CENTURY    L  li 

2.   The  discipline  which  theij  administered. — The  prim- 
itive church  was   a  conimunitj  of  brotherly  love. 
Ecclesiastical  tyran?iy  then  was  unknown — none  ex- 
isted who  were  lords  over  God's  heritage — it  would 
have  been  impossible,  where  all  things  were  in  com- 
mon, and  where  the  love  feasts  precluded  the  sem- 
blance of  dictatorial  authority.     Evident  indeed  are 
the  superlative  charity  and  heavenly  mindeduess  of 
these  our  Christian  ancestors.     They  were  all  of  one 
heart  and  one  soul—their  most  odious  crime,  the  ar- 
dour of  their  brotherly  affection—their  enemies'  most 
indignant  charge  against  them,  their  superiority  to 
all  things  terrestrial.      The  societies  of  Christians 
were  at  that  period  all  of  them  independent  chvrches — 
electing  their  own  Bishops  nnd  Deacons — admitting 
their  own  members,  and  exercising  the  various  duties 
attached  to  their  social  relations,  without  appeal  to 
any  external  authority—but  exhibiting  the  most  mag- 
nanimous, endearing,  and  universal  affection  to  all 
who  loved  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.      The 
Lord's  day  was  ever  observed,  the  Lord's  death 
weekly  commemorated,  and  the  fraten-ity  of  Chris- 
tians exemplified  in   the   sircraest  of  -AX  bonds,  a 
union  not  only  unprecedented,  but  tibsululely  unim- 
agined  by  any  mortal  who  had  previously  existed. 
///.    The  heresies.. 
The  best  donation  from  the  hand  of  God  deterio- 
rates when  committed  to  men.     Even  in  the  all  per- 
fect revelation  ofthe  Gospel,  this  lamentable  effect  vv'ns 
displayed.     Jesus  Christ,  the  Sun  of  Righteousaess, 
as  "  the  light  of  the  world,"  br'pmed  his  ineff ible 
splendour  over  our  moral  hemisphere  ;  but  human 
inventions  quickly  wrapped  the  radiance  in  clouds. 
Grace,  unfolding  all  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ, 
filled  the  world  Avitlj  its  ecstatic  harmonies,  but  the 
pride  of  sinners  robbed  it  of  much  of  its  Avorth  a;id 
blessedness.     In  the  review  of  that  period,  so  long 
since  elapsed,  and  the  attempts  of  our  own  age,  t)ie 
reflecting  mi[|d  is  irresistibly  arrested  by  the  resem- 
blance, or  rather  the  identilv. 


28  ECCLESIASTICAL  IlISTORY.  LECTURf.  {/. 

'•  Both  examples  certify  to  us  how  prone  is  the  hu- 
min  heart  to  undervalue  the  mediation  of  Jesus,  and 
the  glory  of  redeCiiiing  grace,  while  it  attempts  to 
sub-sdtute  instead  of  the  gospel  method  of  salvation, 
the  delusive  schemes  of  a  self-righteous  spirit." 

Two  classes  of  heretics  arose  even  during-  the  A- 
poHtolic  age.  Widely  did  they  differ  in  their  errors, 
but  both  extremes  joined  in  the  same  centre. 

The  Gnostics  propagated  that  the  Son  of  God  w^as 
not  properly  man,  and  that  the  death  on  the  cross 
Avas  oidy  an  appearance.  This  principle  at  once 
exterminated  all  the  essential  qualities  of  Christiani- 
ty ;  and  rendered  all  its  most  sublime  and  peculiar 
doctrines  a  mere  nullity,  without  foundation  in  exist- 
encv?,  or  argument  to  support ;  because  if  Christ  died 
not,  iie  rose  not,  he  ascended  not,  he  lives  not  to  in- 
tercede, he  cannot  return  to  judge. 

The  Ebionites  marched  to  the  other  extremity: 
they  asserted,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  was  a  mere  man, 
oniy  the  Son  of  Joseph  and  Mary.  Of  course,  they 
d'  ;r-.arded  the  atonement,  and  endeavoured  to  estab- 
lish Iheir  justificallon  by  the  works  of  the  law.  Paul's 
epistles  they  rejected  from  their  canon,  and  thus 
like  their  modern  descendants,  charged  an  inspired 
Apostle  with  error  and  vice.  One  party  would  not 
beiieve  in  the  Mediator  as  Man,  the  other  would  not 
admit  tliat  he  possessed  any  dignity  superior  to  hu- 
manity— and  between  them  both,  it  mny  be  declar- 
ed, as  Mary  complained  in  the  Garden — "  they  have 
taken  away  my  Lord,  and  I  know  not  where  they 
have  laid  him."  The  doctrine  of  expiatory  substi- 
tuf^ion,  which  is  the  grand  cornerstone  of  the  gospel, 
was  tluis  entirely  removed  :  the  Gnostics  destroyed 
it  by  denying  the  human  qualities  of  our  Master;  and 
the  Ebonites,  by  opposing  our  Lord's  divine  nature, 
banished  all  the  value  of  his  sufferings. 

The  Gospel  and  Epistles  of  John  were  written 
expressly  to  counteract  both  these  heresies  ;  and  no 
stronger  proof  can  be  given  or  require#of  the  sen- 
timents of  the  Ch.ristians  of  the  first  century,  respect- 


CENTURY    I.  29 

ing  those  who  thus  demolished  the  temple  of  God^ 
than  the  foot,  that  the  Apostle  John,  when  entering  a 
public  bath  for  refreshment,  upon  seeing  Cerinthus, 
one  of  the  most  furious  and  malignant  of  these  heretics 
in  the  bath,  said  to  his  friend — "  Let  us  flee,  lest  the 
bath  should  fall,  while  Cerinthus,  an  enemy  of  truth, 
is  within,"  and  hastily  departed  ;  thus  expressing  his 
disapprobation  of  his  opinions,  and  his  abhorrence 
of  his  pestilential  errors. 

IF.  The  persecutions. 
These  commenced  when  Peter  and  John,  by  the 
power  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  cured  the  lame  man  in 
Solomon's  porch,  at  the  entrance  of  the  temple  in 
Jerusalem.  Jews  and  Gentiles,  who  never  consented 
in  any  other  object,  cordially  combined  to  extirpate 
the  disciples  of  the  Lamb.  Herod  and  Pontius  Pilate 
must  both  unite,  to  malign  and  condemn  the  Lord  of 
life  and  glory  ;  and  the  disciples  were  assured,  that 
they  should  not  escape  the  prior  allotment  of  their 
divine  Saviour.  Many  minor  conspiracies  against 
the  church,  are  noticed  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles, 
and  in  the  Epistles  ;  but  the  first  general  persecution 
originated  from  the  conflagration  of  the  city  of  Rome. 
Nero,  a  proverbial  monster,  had,  for  amusement  only, 
commanded  that  metropolis  to  be  set  on  fire  ;  and 
after  it  was  nearly  consumed,  to  avoid  the  reproach 
of  his  infernal  barbarity,  for  he  played  the  harp  to  an 
old  Grecian  song,  exulting  in  the  desolation  ;  he 
hypocritically  accused  the  Christians  as  incendiarieg 
of  the  empire.  It  is  impossible  to  peruse  with  pa- 
tience or  serenity,  the  still  remaining  monuments  of 
the  inconceivable  agonies  which  resulted  from  that 
merciless  event.  Peter  died,  and  Paul  was  behead- 
ed, during  its  ravages ;  and  the  following  description 
will  enable  us  to  form  an  indistinct  idea,  of  the  hor- 
rific calamities  which  defenceless  and  meek  Chris- 
tians, such  as  those  upon  all  of  whom  was  great 
grace,  were  called  to  endure.  "  They  were  slain- 
with  the  sword,  or  burnt  with  fire,  or  scourged 
to  death,  or  stabbed  with  iron  darts,  or  bored  with 


30  ■      ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  II. 

augers,  or  hanged,  or  crucified,  or  drowned  in  sacks, 
or  flayed,  or  bereft  of  their  eyes,  and  tongues,  or 
stoned,  or  stripped  and  left  to  freeze,  or  starved,  and 
in  every  way  dismembered,  ior  the  scorn  and  deris- 
ion of  the  world — insomuch  that  a  man  might  see  the 
streets  of  the  cities  full  of  men's  bodies,  the  old  and 
young  together,  with  female  corpses  naked,  in  heaps, 
to  which  interment  was  forbidden.  They  were  cov- 
ered with  the  skins  of  wild  beasts,  torn  by  dogs, 
stripped,  covered  with  combustibles,  hung  up  in  va-r 
rious  parts  of  the  cities  and  villages,  and  then  fired, 
that  they  might  serve  for  lights  in  the  night,  ior  their 
relentless  murderers."  By  all  these  various  modes, 
w  as  the  malignity  of  Hell  exhibited  upon  earth — un- 
til after  four  years,  the  Lord  permitted  jNero  to  be 
degraded,  who  fled  into  eternity  by  his  own  hand, 
and  his  wretched  remains  were  dragged  about  Rome, 
in  deeper  disgrace  than  the  Christians  had  ever  ex- 
perienced, the  abhorrence  of  the  good,  and  the  exe- 
cration of  the  wicked. 

The  ravages  of  persecution  through  the  edicts  of 
Domitian,  were  more  widely  extended  and  more  cru- 
elly afl!lictive.  To  him,  persons  of  all  ranks,  stations, 
characters,  and  ages,  were  equally  abhorrent.  His 
highest  delight  was  to  discover  and  to  inflict  the  ut- 
most tortures  which  humanity  could  sustain,  and  his 
individual  employment  to  kill  flies,  when  even  his 
ruflian  hirelings  were  fatigued  with  butchering  Chris- 
tians. His  own  domestics,  even  his  relatives,  could 
excite  no  relentings,  and  he  who  commanded  men  to 
be  barbarously  murdered,  and  in  the  most  lingering 
form,  merely  that  he  might  be  glutted  with  their  ex- 
cruciating agonies ;  he  who  boldly  and  diabolically 
wished  that  the  whole  human  family  possessed  but 
one  head,  that  he  might  exterminate  them  at  a  blow; 
permitted  no  interruption  to  his  almost  incredible 
extravagancies,  until  the  righteous  Judge  of  all  the 
earth  called  him  from  the  throne  of  his  earthly  tyr- 
anny, to  the  supreme  bar,  there  to  answer  for  "  the 
things  done  in  his  body." 


CENTURY    I.  31 

V.  The  progress  of  the  Church. 

It  might  be  rationally  asked — amid  tliese  storms, 
could  the  defenceless  ark  survive  ?  Yes — the  heav- 
enly Pilot  conducted  her  safely  and  triumphantly 
tln-ough  the  perils  of  the  dee}).  The  measures  which 
viere  concerted  to  extinguish  her  name  and  to  oblit- 
erate her  existence,  by  the  superintendence  of  infi- 
nite wisdom  amplified  the  number  and  the  sphere  of 
her  servants,  and  daily  added  to  the  church  them 
who  should  be  saved.  "The  blood  of  the  Martyrs 
was  the  seed  of  the  Church."  The  executioner  be- 
headed ojie.man,  and  ten  believers  hallowed  the  spot 
■ — From  the  cross  one  was  transferred  to  the  crown, 
and  a  multitude  sprung  up  around  the  consecrated 
scene — One  saint  marched  through  the  fire  to  Para- 
dise, and  hosts  of  soldiers  filled  with  the  unquencha- 
ble love  of  the  Redeemer  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts, 
arose  to  aveng>e  his  death,  by  following  his  exam- 
ple. Until  from  zeal  and  persecution,  each  combin- 
ing to  produce  identical  results — ail  the  then  ex- 
plored habitable  globe  displayed  the  trophies  of  the 
gospel,  and  resounded  the  honors  of  the  Lamb 
that  was  slain.  From  Caesar's  palace  to  the  miry 
dungeon,  from  Rome  to  Britain,  and  thence  to  Africa; 
from  the  Nile  to  India,  and  Tartary,  the  messengers 
of  salvation  had  transported  the  exhilarating  Angelic 
chorus,  "  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  peace  on  earth, 
and  good  will  to  men  ;  for  unto  you  is  born  in  the 
city  of  David,  a  Saviour  who  is  Christ  the  Lord  !" 

This  condensed  narrative  excites  serious  reflec- 
tions. For  the  primary  establishment,  the  etlicient 
promulgation,  and  the  extensive  progress  of  revealed 
truth,  in  so  short  a  period,  and  amid  such  appalling 
opposition,  impel  us  to  admire  the  wondrous  dispen- 
sations of  God  !  From  darkness  he  educes  light, 
confusion  he  transforms  into  order,  and  in  his  incon- 
ceivable benevolence  to  the  wretched  children  of 
Adam,  so  "  manages  all  mortal  things,"  that  the  con- 
spiracies of  malign  depravity  and  corrupt  ignorance, 
against  his  glory  and  christian  enjoyment,  under  his; 


32  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTLTxE  JI- 

all-wise  controul,  become  the  instruments  to  devei- 
©pe  the  honours  of  his  government,  and  the  medium 
through  which  the  Ibllowers  of  the  Lamb  obtain,  even 
in  this  vale  of  tears,  "  the  peace  of  Ciod  which  pass- 
eth  all  understanding" — and  tliat  most  splendid  and 
enrapturing  of  all  terrestrial  acquisitions — an  evan- 
gelical capacity  to  "  read  their  title  clear  to  mansions 
in  the  skies  !" 

"  Here  is  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  saints  !" 
The  influence  of  the  grace  of  God,  as  exhibited  in 
the  experience  and  practice  of  the  Redeemers  dis- 
ciples, presents  the  most  dignifying  moral  specta- 
cle !  In  contrast  with  the  Apostolic  Fishermen 
and  Tent-making  Evangelists,  all  the  intellectual 
expansion,  all  the  noblest  virtues,  and  all  the  boast- 
ed eloquence  of  Greece  and  Rome,  dwindle  into 
comparative  insignificance.  In  vain  do  we  explore 
their  volumes,  thence  to  derive  any  knowledge  of  the 
hope  fall  of  a  blissful  immortality  ;  and  a  debasing, 
revengeiul  passion  realizes  no  diminution  when  we 
peruse  their  jejune  ar2;uments  against  unhallowed 
indulgence.  But  who  is  that  Judge,  arrayed  in  all 
tho  magnificence  of  Imperial  majesty,  and  armed  with 
all  the  jurisdiction  of  absolute  power  ?  That  is  Felix, 
the  Roman  Governor  :  And  wh-o  is  he,  in  bonds, 
standing  before  him  with  the  physiognomy  of  more 
than  mortal  philanthropy,  and  the  digniiy  of  saint- 
like innocence  ?  the  prisoner  is  Paul  of  Tarsus  ;  a 
slandered,  persecuted,  despised,  and  detested  Naz- 
arene.  Listen  !  to  a  Tyrant  almost  proverbial  for 
his  arbitrary  injustice,  he  proclaims  the  necessity  of 
righteousness  ;  to  a  Voluptuary,  wallowing  in  bestial 
licentiousness,  he  enforces  temperance  ;  and  to  the 
Arbiter  of  his  mortal  destiny,  he  depicts,  with  all 
the  infallible  solemnity,  and  all  the  unmitigable  ur- 
gency of  a  divinely  commissioned  Instructor,  the  in- 
dispensable necessity  of  transferring  his  attention 
from  the  judgment  seat  on  which  he  Avas  then  sta- 
tioned, to  that  ''judgment  <o  come  ;"  at  which  dread 
period,  and  before  which  august  tribunal,  Paul  and 


CENTURY    I.  33 

Felix  wO'jLl  both  answer,  the  Apostle  for  his  faith- 
ful preaching,  and  the  Governor  for  his  practical  im- 
provement. 

But  this  triumph  of  reason  and  Christianity  over 
all  other  eloquence  and  illumination,  the  Judge  trem- 
bling before  his  alleged  criminal,  is  ineffably  trans- 
cended by  tlie  virtues  which  like  a  resplendant  halo, 
were  displayed  by  them  v/ho  "  were  called  Christians 
fii-st  at  Antiocli.''  Who  can  depict  in  all  their  varied 
value  that  constellation  of  excellencies  which  through 
the  gospel  of  Jesus,  stand  as  imperishable  monu- 
ments of  the  benefits  that  are  derived  from  the  appli- 
cation to  the  soul  of  the  things  of  Christ,  by  '•  the 
Comforter,  the  Spirit  of  Truth  ?"  That  wondrous 
Faith  which  almost  unveiled  the  invisible  future— 
that  exhilarating  Hope  which  vanquishes  all  the  evils 
attendant  on  this  state  of  "  vanity  and  vexation  of 
spirit"— that  ardent  love  which  supremely  centering 
in  the  Saviour  of  sinners,  diverged  in  all  its  purity 
and  in  all  its  forceful  good  to  the  "household  of  faith," 
the  members  of  which  were  adorned  with  the  Re- 
deemer's similitude — that  indescribable  humility  of 
temper,  patience  in  suffering,  self-denial  in  indul- 
gence, resignation  to  the  divine  will,  combined  with 
a  loftiness  of  fortitude,  courage,  activity  of  exertion, 
perseverance  in  duty,  and  an  unwithering  freshness 
of  evangelical  spirituality,  which  rendered  them  as 
unconquerable  in  their  "  good  fight  of  faith,"  as  they 
were  finally,  triumphant  in  their  labours  and  contest. 
In  them  is  a  graphical  portraiture  of  a  disciple  of  the 
Lamb,  delineated  in  the  most  attractive  features,  in 
the  most  beauteous  tints,  and  in  the  most  lucid  col- 
ours, appealing  to  every  Christian  sensibility,  and 
irresistibly  compelling  the  desire,  like  them  to  live, 
like  them  to  die  ! 

But  their  terrestrial  pilgrimage  was  an  ^ilmost  per- 
ennial course  of  every  species  of  afHiction,  which  "the 
love  of  Christ  shed  abroad  in  their  hearts"  alone  en- 
abled them  to  sustain.  Agitation  mingled  with  anti- 
cipated torture  was  part  of  their  daily  bread ;    tears 


34  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  II, 

augmented  by  the  pressure  of  death,  sometimes  im- 
mediate in  ex])erier.ee,  sometimes  protracted  ui.til 
iite  was  extinouished  by  lingering  pain  always  uncer- 
tain in  periods  coi>stituted  an  essential,  often  the 
chief  portion  of  (iieir  diurnal  drink;  and  with  these 
were  combined  ail  the  common  calamities  ii  cident 
to  mortality.  Can  we  therefore  review  the  glorious 
results  which  accompanied  the  dissemination  of  sal- 
vation by  the  Messiah;  can  we  peruse  the  heart- 
rending records  of  those  excruciations,  and  not  feel 
and  cultivate  the  highest  degree  of  gratitude  to  the 
Almighty  Sovereis:n  of  the  Universe,  tiiat  all  the  de- 
liohts  of  this  Gospel  we  may  enioy.  without  their  for^ 
mcr  accompanyiiig  miseries  and  horrors  t 

To  a  Christian  of  the  nineteenth  Century,  and  e- 
speci^lly  to  a  descendant  of  tliose  Puritan  migrants 
who,  for  the  rights  of  conscience,  dared  to  buffet  the 
tempests  of  the  then  almost  u'. traversed  Atlantic,  and 
who  erected  their  t-}bernacles  where  ecclesiastical 
hierarcliies  and  antichristian  despotism  have  never 
dispLiycd  their  ruthless  characteristics;  nothing  can 
be  more  diilicult  than  tiie  attempt  to  depict  the  vivid 
representation  of  the  scenes,  and  to  embody  in  his 
own  sensibilities  the  experience  of  the  Redeemer's 
disciples,  during  the  prevalence  of  those  storms  with 
which  Persecution  desolated  the  church  of  God. 
When  we  retrace  the  virulent,  the  unceasing,  the 
diversified,  and  the  universal  opposition  which  the 
Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  has  received  from  the  na- 
tions among  «whom  it  has  been  promulged — when 
we  reflect  upon  the  tortures,  igpominy  and  multifari- 
ous death  which  have  been  the  invariable  concomi- 
tan.ts  of  that  ''cloud  of  witnesses,  of  whom  the  world 
was  not  worthy'' — when  we  are  reminded  that  the 
grand  object  of  their  pursuit  was  "a  city  which  hath 
foufidations  whose  builder  and  maker  is  God" — and 
whe!i  we  contrast  the  doctrines,  the  illumination, 
theduti''s.  the  prohibitions,  the  promises,  the  spirit 
and  the  object  of  di^  i'je  Kevelation,  with  the  trials 
of  them  who  "endured  as  seeing  him  who  is  invisible:" 


CENTURY    I.  35 

who  were  mocked  and  scourged,  "  in  bonds  and  im- 
prisonment, stoned,  sawn  asunder,  tempted,  siain 
with  the  sword,  wandered  about  in  sheep  skins  and 
goatskins,  in  deserts,  in  mountains,  and  in  dens  arid 
c;r/es  otthe  earth,  being  destitute,  afflicted,  torment- 
ed " — we  are  overwhehned  with  astonishment;  and 
are  coerced  to  believe,  that  our  Ancestors  were  in- 
duced to  suppose  that  the  sacred  Oracles,  instead 
ofbeiHgllhe  treasury  of  -peace  on  earth,  and  good 
will  to  men" — were  like  the  fibled  box  of  Pandora,  a 
c\sket  filled  with  every  multiform  evil  and  male- 
diction, from  which  even  Hope  itself  was  perfectly 
aud  for  ever  excluded.  With  the  convictions  which 
we  possess,  that  to  the  extension  of  the  Gospel,  the 
civilized  portion  of  the  habitable  globe  are  indebted 
for  ill  their  intellectual  and  moral  superiority,  how 
can  we  effectually  comprehend  the  narrative  of  those 
inconceivable  tornados  of  malignant  fury,  which, 
not  like  the  Angel  who  scattering  death  through  Se- 
nacherib's  army,  mingled  the  whole  camp  of  all  cha- 
racters in  a  solid  mass  of  corpses — but  with  infernal 
acumen  appeared  instinctively  to  exonerate  the 
hiughty  devotee  of  idolatry,  vice  and  corruption; 
and  to  diffuse  all  its  blasting  energy  upon  the  humble 
sanctified  Christian  ?  Reminiscences  of  the  priinitive 
a.ijes  of  the  Messiah's  kingdom,  and  of  the  inelfible 
c  ilamities  in  which  its  citizens  were  then  overwhelm- 
Cvb  must  therefore  excite  and  foster  unfailing  evan- 
gelical gratitude  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church, 
who  dispenses  all  "the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ," 
for  the  support  and  enjoyment  of  the  present  members 
of  "the  household  of  faith;"  and  who  has  so  graciously 
made  our  lines  to  fall  in  pleasant  places,  that  we 
"  have  a  goodly  heritage,"  and  enjoy  the  blissful  pro- 
mise, "  they  shall  sit  every  man  under  his  vine,  at.d 
under  his  fig-tree,  and  none  shn)l  make  them  afraid  : 
for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath  spoken  it"— 
Amen. 


The  seven  churches  of  Asia — the  first  and  second  Apoca.- 
Jyptic  seals — the  interior  order,  eminent  Chrisiiaus,  he- 
resies., and  the  persecutions  of  the  Church  during  the  se- 
cond Centura/.  ,     ^ 


From  this  period  in  the  amiais  of  tlie  Christian 
Church,  all  the  prominent  features  of  her  history, 
are  detailed  by  the  spirit  of  prophecy;  and  our  faith 
in  the  authenticity  of  divine  revelation  is  strengthen- 
ed by  observing  the  wonderful  coincidence  between 
John's  Apocalypse  since  its  original  transmission  to 
the  disciples,  and  the  history  of  the  Roman  empire. 

Among  the  most  remarkable  of  these  fuUilled  pre- 
dictions, the  epistles  to  the  famous  seven  churches 
of  Asia,  stand  a  striking  and  incontrovertible  testi- 
monial of  the  Apostle's  supernatural  inspiration. 

The  magnificence  of  Ephesus  is  a  fact  attested  by 
all  the  ancient  historians — and  the  glory  which  the 
Church  there  obtained,  by  their  obedience  to  Jesus, 
is  equally  resounded  in  the  primitive  age.  They 
were  nevertheless  prcmonished,  that  it  is  highly  dan- 
gerous to  depart  from  the  living  God,  were  caution- 
ed not  to  encourage  the  Nicolaitans,  an  impure  sect, 
whose  doctrines  and  practices  were  equally  abhor- 
rent and  vitiating ;  and  assured  that  if  they  did  not 
repent,  "  their  candlestick  should  be  removed  out  of 
its  place."  Now  the  temple  of  Diana  is  in  extinction; 
and  of  all  the  Christian  houses  of  prayer — one  only 
remains,  which  is  transformed  into  a  Mahommedan 
Mosque.  A  few  Turkish  f  imilies  live  in  great  wretch- 
edness among  the  sj)lendid  ruins  of  Greek,  Roman 
and  Asiatic  g)-andeur,  with  not  one  '"household  of 
failh;"  the  gospel,  its  preachers  and  ordinances,  all 
have  vanished. 


.         CENTURY    II.  37 

Tlie  second  message  was  addressed  to  Smyrna; 
ihej  were  commended  and  encouraged;  and  not- 
withstanding ail  tiie  inroads  of  the  Arabian  Apostacy, 
it  is  beheved,  that  the  body  of  behevers  has  never 
been  at  any  period  totally  extinct.  At  present,  the 
spirit  of  the  Gospel  is  reviving  among  the  descend- 
ants of  them  who  heard  the  honoured  Poly  carp 
preach,  and  who  saw  the  iniiexible  Martyr  triumph. 

The  church  at  Pergamos,  which  was  very  sharply 
reproved  by  her  great  Head,  has  scarcely  a  vestige 
remaining.  A  few  families  who  are  called  Christians, 
but  whose  name  it  may  be  feared,  is  the  sole  evidence 
of  their  evangelical  profession,  reside  amid  the  des- 
olations of  this  once  dignified  metropolis,  in  the  ut- 
most misery,  and  '•  in  the  most  abject  and  sordid  ser- 
vitude." Thus  hath  the  Lord  fought  against  them 
with  "  the  sword  of  his  mouth," 

In  Thyatira,  no  traces  of  any  devotional  building 
can  be  discovered  :  a  few  Turks  dwell  among  the 
immense  piles  of  white  marble  which  have  survived 
the  destruction  of  centuries ;  but  the  profession  of 
Christ  is  extinguished,  and  engorged  by  the  reveries 
of  the  Koran. 

Sardis  was  the  haughty  metropolis  of  Croesus,  and 
at  one  time  surpassed  in  brilliancy  and  opulence  all 
tlie  cities  of  the  East — the  church  in  it  is  stated  to 
have  been  the  first  which  w  as  formed  in  lesser  Asia, 
and  also  the  first  which  apostatized  from  Christianity. 
Now  the  city  is  a  superlatively  grand  and  very  exten- 
sive mass  of  demolished  magnificence,  where  no  tem- 
ple exists  to  the  Redeemer's  honour ;  where  no 
preacher  blows  the  joyful  sound,  and  in  which  no 
people  walk,  O  Lord,  "  in  the  light  of  thy  counte- 
nance." 

The  epistle  to  the  church  of  Philadelphia,  is  sin- 
gularly prophetic — among  them  God  reproved  noth- 
ing, but  declared  that  he  would  "  keep  them  from  the 
hour  of  temptation  ;"  no  doubt  intending  the  tyranny 
of  the  Turks ;  and  it  was  promised  to  them  who  over- 
came, that  "  they  shall  be  made  pillars  in  the  temple 


38  ECCLESIASTICAL  HIST0R¥.  LECTURE  IIL 

« 

of  God,"  In  writing  the  history  of  the  Mohammedan 
irruptions  under  the  Turks,  a  modern  scotling  Inlidel 
has  most  unintentionally  corroborated  this  marvel- 
lous prediction.  He  says,  "  that  of  all  the  Christian 
churches  which  are  recorded  to  have  existed,  i'hiia- 
delphia  alone  survives,"  and  as  if  he  had  been  divinely 
guided  to  confute  his  own  scepticism,  by  using  the 
very  phraseology  of  the  scripture,  he  adds,  •*  she 
stands  the  pillar  of  stabihty,  unmoved  amid  all  the 
surrounding  desolations."  Here  Christianity  has  al- 
Avays  displayed  something  of  its  purity,  and  some  of 
the  buildings  hallowed  for  the  worship  of  .'esus  still 
exist;  a  monument  of  the  protection  with  which  God 
encircles  those  who  ^'keep  the  word  of  his  patience." 
Laodicea  was,  in  its  prosperous  period,  one  of  the 
most  populous  and  superb  cities  of  Asiii — -•  she  was 
rich,  and  increased  in  goods" — but  the  Christians 
within  her  walls  were  corrupted  by  the  luxuries,  and 
chilled  by  the  carnal  enjoyments  to  which  they  had 
such  easy  access.  Their  lukewarm ness,  and  lethar- 
gy, and  fondness  for  the  things  which  are  visible, 
produced  for  them  unmingled  censure  from  "  the 
Faithful  and  True  Witness."  The  Lord's  declaration 
was  wonderfully  consummated  ;  if  they  would  not 
repent,  "  I  will  spue  thee  out  of  my  mouth."  Laodi- 
cea has  long  since  been  totally  demolished  ;  and 
during  many  centuries  lias  been,  as  it  is  now,  merely 
an  assembhige  of  caverns,  where  wolves  and  jacknlls 
prowl,  and  dragons,  snakes  and  vipers  hiss  ;  so  that 
not  only  has  the  ancient  worship  of  God  totally  dis- 
appeared, and  the  recognition  of  a  Saviour  been  per- 
fectly exterminated  ;  but  the  district  even  in  which 
this  lukewarm  church  existed,  has  been  so  immedi- 
ately cursed  by  the  righteous  Judge  of  all  the  e  r'h, 
and  so  branded  with  the  visible  marks  of  inextin- 
guishable reprobation,  that  its  stupendous  spec"mens 
of  architecture  are  not  only  utterly  destroyed,  but 
also  by  men  completely  abandoned.  Modern  visit- 
ers corroborate  the  truth,  that  "  as  they  did  not  then 
hear  the  voice  ©f  merciful  admonition,  noiv  every  thing 


CENTURY    II.  39 

seems  as  if  God  had  doomed  the  place,  and  left  it  to 
the  dominion  of  Satan."  "  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let 
him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  Churches."  1. 

The  history  of  Christianity  as  narrated  in  the  Apo- 
calypse, is  divided  into  three  distinct  periods ;  seven 
seuls^  seven  trumpets  and  seven  vials.  From  the  era  of 
the  vision,  nntiS  the  triumphs  of  Constantine  over 
his  foes,  and  the  succeeding  permanent  establish- 
ment of  the  cliurch,  is  the  Heathen  Roman  Empire, 
included  within  six  seals.  Thence,  the  state  of  the 
Christian  Roman  empire  to  the  commencement  of  the 
seventh  century,  is  delineated  under  four  trumpets 
of  the  seventh  seal.  Witliin  the  three  last  trumpets, 
is  contained  a  view  of  the  world  during  the  famous 
prophetic  1260  years.  The  fifth,  or  tirst  wo-trumpet 
includes  the  origin  of  the  two  Apostacies,  Moham- 
medan and  Papal;  and  the  sixth,  or  second  wo-trum- 
pet represents  the  extension  of  their  sway;  both  de- 
tailing Events  which  have  occurred  in  the  Eastern 
empire  :  and  the  seventh,  or  third  w^o-trumpet,  with 
its  vials,  depicts  the  ultimate  effusion  of  the  wrath 
of  God  upon  the  powers,  which  in  every  age  perse- 
cuted Christians,  and  finally  coalesced  for  their  ex- 
termination ;  and  displays  in  all  its  horrors  the  de- 
struction of  "  the  enemies  of  our  Lord  and  of  his 
Christ." 

The  paragraph  in  the  sixth  chapter  of  the  Revela- 
tion, from  the  first  to  the  fourth  verse,  contains  the 
prophetical  history  of  the  church  and  the  Roman  em- 
pire during  the  second  century  ;  and  the  first  seal 
has  almost  universally  been  applied  to  the  general 
ditTusion  of  the  gcupel.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
represented  as  a  Conqueror— his  bow  indicating  en- 
ergy ;  his  white  horse,  the  rapidity  of  his  conquests, 
pure  and  merciful  ;  and  his  crown,  his  royalty  and 
triumphs.  From  the  borders  of  India  and  Tartary 
on  the  east,  to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  on  the  west,  the 
name  of  Immanuel  was  known,  and  honoured  as  the 
Redeemer  of  mankind — thus  circumscribing  all  the 

I.  iAppendix  IV. 


40  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  IIL 

civilized  world,  and  the  nations  with  which  the  Ro- 
mans held  any  intercourse.  Who  can  Avilness  tliis 
extensive  liow  of  the  doctrhies  of  the  cross,  in  spite  of 
all  opposition  and  persecution,  and  not  with  rapture 
hail  these  demonstrations  of  celestial  benevolence  ? 

The  second  seal  has  been  usually  referred  to  the 
Romaji  empire,  from  the  accession  of  the  EiiJperor 
Trajan  to  the  close  of  the  century.  It  was  a  red 
horse,  denoting  his  bloody  cliaracter,  and  his  rider 
had  power  to  take  peace  from  the  earth  by  his  great 
and  tremendous  sword.  The  Roman  onnais  are  re- 
plete with  the  almost  incredible  slaugliters  and  mas- 
sacres which  continued  without  mitigation,  and  al- 
most without  intermission,  during  more  than  89 
years. 

The  Jews  and  the  Romans,  equal  enemies  of  Chris- 
tianity, were  permitted  to  butcher  each  other  with  a 
destruction  and  malignity  similar  to  that  with  which 
they  desolated  the  Christians.  In  Cyrene.  the  Jews 
massacred  220,000  men  with  the  utmost  barbarity. 
Around  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  and  in  Cyprus,  they 
murdered  240,000 — while  the  relentless  Romans, 
like  ferocious  beasts  fired  with  rage,  attacked  the 
Jews  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  until  in  their 
grand  rebellion  under  Barch.obab,  who  pretended  to 
be  their  Messiah,  upwards  of  a  thousand  of  their  for- 
tified places,  and  of  their  largest  and  most  populous 
towns,  were  utterly  razed  and  destroyed  ;  580,000 
men  were  slain  by  the  sword,  besides  incalculable 
numbers  whom  pestilence  killed,  and  famine  starved. 

So  great  was  the  diminution  of  the  inhabitants 
from  these  varied  commotions  anff  wars,  so  vast  and 
dreadful  were  the  dilapidations  upon  the  prosperity 
and  energies  of  the  empire,  that  even  the  finally  tri- 
umphant Emperors  neither  congratulated  the  Senate, 
nor  would  receive  any  honour  for  victory.  If  we  add 
to  these  deaths,  the  myriads  tortured,  mutilated  and 
slain  by  the  ruffian  arm  of  infernal  persecution — 
we  shall  immediately  perceive  the  accuracy  and  the 
miseries  ©f  this  prophetical  denunciation. 


C.EXTURY    II.  41 

Which  were  the  distinctive  characteristics  of  the 
(Christian  Church  ? 

/.   The  interior  order. 

1.  Their  faith  was  very  similar  to  that  of  the  for- 
mer period  ;  the  i'undamental  doctrines  already  de- 
tailed, were  still  exhibited  and  preached  in  their  pu- 
rity ;  but  towards  the  close  of  the  century,  the  intro- 
duction of  the  ancient  Heathen  philosophy,  m  ith  a 
variety  of  distinctions  diminishing  the  extent  ofmor^ 
id  obligation,  much  deteriorated  the  simpliri ty  and 
dignity  of  the  principles  and  practice  of  the  former 
century. 

2.  The  miraculous  gifts  of  the  Apostolic  era  were 
ytill  prolonged,  though  with  less  frequency  ;  and  were 
more  generally  displayed  in  those  regions  where  the 
Gospel  was  primarily  introduced  ;  and  of  course 
where  supernatural  attestation  was  requisite,  than 
among  the  long  established  abodes  of  tlie  Redeemer's 
followers.  But  towards  the  end  of  this  age,  a  great 
degeneracy  was  discernible  in  the  manners  and  vir- 
tues of  the  disciples  ;  they  had  multiplied  schisms, 
and  consequently  their  vices  ;  while  their  frivolous 
disputations  oidy  tended  to  evince,  how  weak  was 
the  tie  which  bound  them  to  their  Lord  and  Master, 
and  to  each  other,  although  professedly  united  to 
*^  the  Lamb  of  God  which  takelh  away  the  sins  of 
ihe  world." 

3.  Apostolic  practice  genernlly  continued  on  all 
the  more  prominent  and  essential  institutions  :  but  a 
variety  of  minor  circumstances  connected  with  the 
church,  was  partially  changed  during  this  centurial 
revolution.  "  The  mystery  of  iniquity  had  already 
begun  to  work,"  and  at  length  it  developed  itself 

In  Rome,  at  some  epoch  not  exactly  determinable, 
<iriginated  the  distinction  between  Elders.  Presbyters 
or  Bishops.  The  churches  which  had  been  collected 
in  its  vicinity  having  frequently  assembled  in  general 
assoriat'ion  by  their  delegates,  at  length  selected  an 
Elder  Brother  to  yireside  ;  for  so  intluenced  were 
these  primitive  disciples  by  the  liumilitv  and  afTec-' 
F 


12  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  III. 

tions  of  the  gcspel,  tliat  during  the  I'ormer  period,  it 
TV  |uii'ed  no  ionises,  to  preserve  order  and  to  repress 
turbilence  ;  but  irom  the  increasing  numbers  v.hc 
atie;-ded  these  'neeiiiigs,  and  the  necessity  frequenily 
ia.posed  upon  them  tiirough  the  immediate  pressures 
ol  persecution,  to  contract  their  deliberations,  and  to 
expedite  their  decisions,  an  iniiuential  senior  was  ap- 
pointed, merely  to  controul  any  irhpediments  to  the 
despatch  oi  business,  which  might  unintentionally 
arise  :  and  to  this  meek,  loivly.  persecuted  chairman, 
already  a  ivlirtyrin  anticipation,  and  most  probably 
seated  on  a  rock,  or  coiiin,  in  one  of  the  iniexplored 
recesses  of  those  Christian  domitories  of  the  dead, 
ne  r  ihe  Tiber,  e. -circled  by  the  cotacomb«  which 
co.'Siituted  the  surest  concealment  lor  these  refugees 
fro:n  Pagan  tortures;  or  in  the  dens  raid  caves  of  the 
eartli  ii  the  proviiices,  have  succeeded  Popes^  and 
the  whole  minor  train  of  Anti-Christian  hierarchs,  of 
ai'Host  all  seels,  and  disguised  under  every  cloak, 
Bi.id  hat,-  and  name,  through  every  intermediate  gra- 
dation, from  "  Iloll'Brand^'^^  in  the  Vatican,  even  to  the 
last  Moderator  of  an  Ecihsiastical  7  rio  of  '•  Men-Steal- 
eri<^^''  among  the  Allegany  mountains.  Notwithstanding 
this  innovation,  tlie  Churches  retained  so  much  of 
the  Aposlolic  purity,  and  the  pri\  ileges  guaranteed 
unto  riiem  by  Jesus  Christ,  the  Lord  of  Coisscie  nee, 
that  the  disX'iples  of  each  distinct  society  of  Chi'is- 
tians,  el'Cted  their  own  i'ishops  aii-d  Deacons,  admit- 
ted tlieir  memb'TS,  and  exercised  their  power  in  dis- 
cipli'.e  and  in  the  regulation  of  all  their  internal  con- 
cerrjs  without  exterior  interfcrence.  or  the  ackiiow- 
\vr\<T'^m  -^X  of  any  terrestrial  authority,  whom  thej 
wero  obliged  by  t]i<.'  Gospel  either  to  consult  or  to 
obey    2. 

Believers  were  continually  devoted  to  the  evan- 
gelical instruction  of  the  children  in  the  families 
of  the  Heath«'n  converts  ;  and  the  laws  of  the  Apos- 
to'ic  household  of  faith,  were  tenderly  but  strictly 
enforced.     Incessantly  exposed  to  the  irruptions  of 

2.  Appendix  V. 


CENTURY    IL  4j 

merciless  desolation  from  their  malignanl  despots, 
their  public  assemblies  could  not  acfjiii.  {he  cold.  ess. 
formality,  or  inadaptation  of  a  si.  ;.:!  .  "renjc-wiil  of 
words  ;  hence /on?w  of  jmtijcr  v-,e;-  '  t"L  iiv  u:iki.o\ui 
among  the  disciples  of  this  century. 

Tiie  Lord's  day,  or  the  lirst  day  of  the  week,  was 
not  only  the  general,  but  also  the  sole  &■  y  of  reiigio'is 
worship,  except  that  it  was  purtially  combined,  by 
some  of  the  scattered  Jewish  desceii<''^.:is,  willi  the 
observance  of  the  Mosaic  Srsbb  ith  ;  biii  the  Icslival 
days,  appointed  to  memorialize  the  legendary  saints, 
were  at  that  period  non-existent  :  h  ving  been  long 
subsequent  incorporated  into  the  Calendar  by  Papal 
Idolatry.  Yet  the  discijdfs  hnd  deviated  i;;  o  soijie 
superstitious  notions  and  rites.  ';v',i:  >f  il;.^  ],  p^e  of 
1600  years,  and  the  purilVJi'g  e'ii'i';:ry  of  iii:'  'ujo-ust 
Reformation  have  not  elFeetu  d!y  ex-';  '  ;  i  '  I.  A 
certain  indescrib  sble  solemnity  w :»s  s!]|>p<'S -d  to  be- 
long to  Baptism,  wliich  confi  led  the  adininistraiion 
of  that  ordinance  chieily  to  E  sster  and  Whitsuntide; 
and  the  origin  of  these  names  demoistrate  the  ten- 
dency of  the  human  mind  to  abe.r  '  Vom  the  lu- 
minous path  of  gospel  truth  and  c  ■  i  simplici- 
ty. Our  English  epithet  Easter,  is  dei-i\eJ.,  eilh*^r 
from  the  Assyrian  Idol  Astarte,  or  the  Saxon  God- 
dess Eostre,  the  grand  celebrations  of"  which  nothings 
were  about  the  month  of  April;  and  Whitsunday  w  is 
so  designated,  because  the  candidates  for  Bap*'*  ni 
on  that  occasion,  geiierally  wore  long  white  robes  ; 
although  it  appears.,  from  the  custom  in  the  early 
ages,  the  frequent  b'!*:-r'n  of  Ik:  converts  naked^  that 
this  garment  must  hiwG  been  tlie  appendage  of  later 
generations. 

The  seeds  of  the  Romish  M.vss  were  also  noAV  im- 
planted, by  the  rapidiy  iiicreasing  practice  whieh 
had  been  introduced,  to  administer  ihe:  Lords  ■"tap- 
per, and  even  to  transmit  the  co.'?.serr«/f?f/ elements,  to 
the  sick  and  dying  :  and  in  connection  with  this  de- 
parture from  the  primitive  institution,  the  dog  na 
sv.'iftly  and  extensively  v.as  diffused,  that^a  peculiar 


44  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORV.  LrCTURE  III. 

saiiclltj  was  altaclied  to  a  lile  In  ccHbacy,  which 
evcnliKilly  conducted  to  all  the  Monastic  establish- 
ments ot"  the  Greek  and  Roman  hierarchies. 

When  the  Christian  religion  remained  without  ai;y 
recommendation  Irom  the  inllnence  of  power,  or  thr^ 
display  ot"  exterior  mao;nificence,  how  was  the  exist- 
ence of  the  gospel  perpetuated  ?  i>y  Avhat  terres- 
trial coincidences  and  contradictions  did  the  Lord 
sustain  his  cause  ?  The  extent  of  the  Roman  empire 
was  so  vast,  that  while  its  government  crushed  one 
part  to  atoms,  the  other  was  excluded  from  its  coer- 
cion; and  thus  the  very  circumstance  which  in  a 
more  confined  despotism,  according  to  human  esti- 
mate, would  have  demolished  the  Saviour's  sway, 
augmented  4l«  amplitude,  and  contributed  to  its  pre- 
servation. In  llie  retrospect  of  tiiis  century,  it  is 
impossible  not  to  remember  the  remarkable  simili- 
t"  1  b^^tvv^en  th  ^  most  striking  features  of  that  dis- 
tant period,  and  the  present  era. 

1  ...'  iUiiii'diate  successors  of  the  Apostles  are  re- 
nowned for  the  dispersion  of  the  Scriptures  in  the 
various  vernacular  languages;  whicli  constituted  then 
tiie  grand  means  to  diffuse  and  prolong  the  know- 
ledge of  divine  revelation,  and  which  has  been  ve- 
rified in  our  own  generation,  to  be  equally  etlica- 
cious  for  the  promulgation  of  the  Truth,  and  the 
pro2:ressivc  enlargement  of  his  empire,  who  is  going 
"forth  conquering  and  to  conquer/' 

//.  The  superior  Christian  ivriters  of  tlie  seeojid,  e- 
qually  as  of  some  other  Centuries,  constitute  a  very 
distitiguished  part  of  the  historical  detail  of  iho  Re- 
d^'erner's  church:  and  their  magnanimity,  their  learn- 
ing, and  their  claim  upon  our  undying  affection  will 
not  be  diminished,  by  understanding  the  state  of  Pa- 
ganism, v.h^n  thev  sojourned  in  this  vale  of  tears. 

The  various  systems  of  Idolatry  received  all  the 
sanctions  of  Imperial  power,  and  notwithstanding 
they  were  becoming  iiicreasingly  disreputable — yet 
the  Apo^osz;ists  lor  Christiarnty  evinced  unexampled 
fortitude  wlien  they  could  dare  unlimited  earthly 


CEM'LKV     tl.  45 

authority  in  defence  of  the  truth.  Besides,  the  Hea- 
then Priests  and  Shrine  makers  exerted  themselves 
in  every  form  and  upon  all  occasions,  to  intlame  the 
sano'uinarj  multitude,  thus  fortitied  by  sovereign  ex- 
ample and  defended  by  Imperial  influence,  against  the 
pnssive  and  impotent  brotherhood  of  the  meek  and 
lowly  Jesus,  The  lucubrations  of  Pagan  Philosophy, 
the  effervescence  of  Atheistic  ridicule,  and  the  ebul- 
litions of  Epicurean  reproach,  ever  most  amply  remu- 
nerated, combined  all  their  powers  to  sustain  Satan's 
throne,  and  to  disgrace  by  falsehood,  or  extirpate 
by  force,-  Christsanity  from  the  globe.  Notwithstand- 
ing, Celsus  vomited  forth  his  blasphemies.  Emperors 
enkindled  the  Martyrs'  fires — and  bribed  Murderers 
tortured  maligiiant  ingenuity,  to  deter  by  every  spe- 
cies of  most  abhorrent  laceration  and  indecency  the 
feeble  Christian ;  the  Infidel,  the  Tyrant,  the  Ruffian, 
toiled  for  a  non-entity  ;  still  Idolatry  was  diminished 
by  the  loss  of  its  devotees,  and  the  number  of  sincere 
Penitents  incessantly  augmented. in  a  geometrical 
ratio  •,  while  the  imperishable  apologies  of  some  of 
the  Martyrs,  exposed  the  absurdities  of  the  Mytholo- 
gical system,  in  the  most  luminous  manner,  to  univer- 
sal contempt,  and  utter  abhorrence.  The  men  of 
Mdiom  we  speak  w^ere  truly  eminent  "  children  of  the 
light ;"  they  adorned  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour 
by  their  personal  piety  and  multifarious  labours— they 
promotedthe  cause  of  Christ  by  their  continual  writ- 
ings— they  pometimes  blunted  the  sword  of  persecu- 
tion, and  always  developed  the  infuriated  senseless 
injustice  of  their  Tormentors,  by  their  eloquent  apo- 
logies lor  their  Masters  religion— they  enlightened  the 
understandings  and  exhilarated  the  h'^arts  of  the  dis- 
ciples, by  their  treatises  onevangHical  doc  r'nes  and 
Christian  devotion  :  and  at  last,  sufTered  the  excrucia- 
tions, and  obtained  the  crown  of  martyrdom,  that  the 
testimony  of  their  dying  blood  might  seal  the  evidence 
of  their  dignified  lives. 

Of  these,  Simeon.  Ignatius,  Justin,  Polycarp,  Po- 
thinus,  and  Apollonius,  were  in  various  forms  slain; 


46  tCCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    III. 

but  Athanagoras,  Theophilus,  DIonjeiiis,  Miltia- 
des,  and  Quadratus,  -svere  protected  of  God  to  die 
in  peace. 

Tlie  writings  of  these  primitive  Christians  are  of 
the  highest  value,  as  evidence  of  the  doctrine,  disci- 
phne,  heresies,  manners  and  sutierings  of  the  disci- 
ples of  the  ages  in  which  they  lived  ;  and  their  testi- 
mony is  of  additional  moment,  because  of  their  long 
protracted  mortal  pilgrimage.  Simeon  had  attained 
120  years  when  he  wascruciiied-Ignatius  during  near- 
ly forty  annual  revolutions  was  Pastor  of  the  church  at 
Antioch.  Justin  had  been  a  renowned  Christian  in 
all  parts  of  the  church  almost  half  a  century,  when 
ke  was  transported  to  heaven  by  decapitation — and 
Polycarp  had  been  the  angel  of  the  church  at  Smyrna 
seventy-four  years,  probably  the  very  individual  ori- 
ginally addressed  by  John,  in  the  epistle  to  that  body 
of  believers.  To  those,  therefore,  whose  eyes  had 
witnessed  the  various  changes  in  the  cfiurch,  and 
who  had  participated  so  actively  and  prominently  in 
all  their  more  general  affairs,  we  may  with  confidence 
appeal  for  correct  information  ;  and  this  equally 
exalts  the  suffering  and  unresisting  followers  of  the 
Lamb,  and  degrades  to  the  very  depths  of  ignominy 
the  merciless  and  unglutted  Bloodsuckers  who  were 
perpetually  slaughtering  the  older  generation,  that  by 
every  refinement  of  barbarity  they  might  intimidate 
their  children  from  adhering  to  the  cross.  Hut  in 
vain — '^  he  that  sitteth  in  tlie  heavens  l;>.ughed,  and 
the  Lord  had  them  in  derision.  The  King  was  set 
upon  the  lioly  hill  in  Zion." 

///.  The  heresies  which  trniihhd  the  church  during  this 
cra^  originated  in  two  sources. 
1.  The  Jewish  opinions.  A  sect  arose  called  the  Na- 
zarenes,  who  mingled  a  vast  variety  of  Mosaic  cer- 
emonial observances  with  Christianity,  and  who 
were  much  attached  to  the  economy  promulgated 
by  him,  who  "  esteemed  the  reproacii  of  Christ, 
greater  riches  than  the  treasures  of  Egypt."  Al- 
though not  numbered  with  the  avowed  rejecters  of 


GEI^iTUHY    IL  47 

a  good  conscience,  who,  •'  concerning  faith,  have 
made  shipwreck  ;"  .yet  their  opinions  and  practices 
denied  the  simplicity  and  purity  of  the  Gospel,  and 
fui'iiished  others  with  arms  in  which  more  directly  t© 
contend  against  divine  truth. 

The  grand  heresy  of  the  first,  subsisted  in  the  se- 
cond century  ;  the  docirins  which  opposed  or  corrupted 
the  real  and  proper  Divinity  of  Christ-,  and  it  is  a  so- 
lemn memento  to  the  existing  generation,  that  during 
the  first  200  years  of  the  existence  of  the  church,  any 
man  who  denied  our  Lord's  divine  character,  was 
not  permitted  to  associate  in  communion  with  the 
church  universal,  or  to  retain  the  name  of  Christian. 
A  si!!i;!il;.a'  fact  is  recorded  concerning  this  contro- 
versy, riicodotus  who  attempted  to  revive  the  dog- 
ma, that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  only  a  man> 
was  the  principal  heresiarch.  During  one  of  the  per- 
secutions— he  was  conducted  with  some  christians 
before  the  inimical  magistrates.  His  associates  open- 
ly avowed  their  faith  and  attachment  to  their  Lord 
and  Master,  and  were  immediately  condemned  and 
exccuiC'J.  Theodotus  as  resolutely  denied  him.  Be- 
ing afterwards  severely  censured  for  apostacy  from 
his  God ;  he  replied,  "  No,  I  have  not  denied  God,  but 
man,  for  Christ  is  no  more."  This  opinion,  with  his  ex- 
clusion from  the  usual  tortures  to  which  the  Chris- 
tians were  doomed,  produced  a  new  nomination:  the 
God-demjinir  aposiacij.  '•  He  had  neither  principles  nor 
contidence  to  bear  the  cross--"'  arid  our  modern  Scof- 
fers at  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ's  essentially  divine  per- 
fections are  his  exact  counterpart.  Their  love  of  im- 
mortal souls  evaporates  in  a  cold  and  cheerless  sys- 
tem of  dry  ethics,  animated  by  no  missionary  fire j 
and  their  dissemination  of  the  Scriptures  to  enlighten 
the  ignorant  and  reform  the  vicious,  is  circumscribed 
by  a  bigotry,  which  only  admits  them  partially  even 
to  disperse  a  frigid  and  corrupted  translation  of  the 
New  Testament ;  so  that  a  Humanitarian  of  the  nine- 
teenth, approximates,  if  not  surpasses  in  error,  a 
God-denying  Apostate  of  the  second  century. 


48  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOKV.  LECTWRE    III. 

2.  The  Oriental  Fhilosophj  also  contributed  its  iuli 
proportion  towards  the  deteriorfdion  oi'  evaiJi!,i.'lical 
truth. 

The  Montanists  were  collected  by  an  inlatunted 
enthusiast,  Avho  pretended  to  bo  the  conilorter  that 
Jesus  had  promised.  Montanus  himseh'  was  an  ene- 
my to  all  literature,  and  the  bigoted  ica  iler  cl"  all 
those  who  did  not  submit  to  his  dreamino-  iiispiralions. 
Believing  many  of  the  distinctive  verities  ol"  liu? 
Gospel,  notwithstanding;  their  numerous  and  absurd 
additions,  the  sect  which  he  formed  excecdii)(!;ly 
tioublod  the  church. 

The  Pagano-Chrisiian  Philosophers  probably  ef- 
fected the  most  important  injuries  and  the  most  per- 
manent corruption  of  Christianity.  They  were  de- 
nominated Eclectics  :  their  limdamcntal  tenet  was, 
that  all  religions  are  virtually  idenlicaL  Their  prin- 
cipal object  was,  to  combine  the  morality  of  the 
Gospel,  with  the  more  refined  notions  of  the  Platonic 
philosophy.  All  the  essential  doctrines  of  tlie  cross 
were  excluded  from  their  system ;  and  a  hctitious 
holiness,  an  exterior  garb  of  sanctity  w  as  substituted, 
which  was  gradually  amplitied  into  all  the  penances 
and  austerities  of  the  Papal  mummery.  Hence  the 
pleas  of  Pharisaic  pride,  and  the  iancies  of  self-right- 
eousness, mingled  with  the  relined  argumentations 
of  dialectic  Platonism,  obscured  and  partly  oblitera- 
ted the  doctrines  of  justification  by  faith  in  Clirist, 
the  sole  efhcacy  of  his  atonement  and  mediation,  and 
the  absolute  necessity  of  the  work  of  divine  grace, 
through  the  operation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  regene- 
rate the  heart  and  sanctify  the  life.  From  these  caus- 
es, the  purity  of  sacred  truth,  and  the  godliness  of 
its  Professors,  manifested  prior  to  the  close  of  this 
century,  direct  symptoms  of  decay. 

But  nothing  can  more  obviously  exhibit  tlie  de- 
basement of  the  Ministers  of  the  Christian  church 
in  the  latter  part  of  this  period,  than  the  controver- 
sy that  was  agitated  from  one  end  of  the  iloman  em- 
pire to  the  other,  respecting  the  precis?  day  on  which 


CENTURY    II.  49 

ihej  should  celebrate  our  Lord's  resurrection.  From 
Lyons  to  Rome,  thence  to  Ephesus  and  to  Antiocli, 
this  despicable  lury  raged. 

The  Bishop  of  Rome,  not  a  Bishop  in  the  gospel 
interpretation,  but  one  of  the  Pope's  progenitors,  v/lio 
with  his  predecessors  had  contrived  to  usurp  addi- 
tional jurisdiction  throughout  these  hundred  jer^rs, 
resolved  that  this  solemnity  should  be  observed  -ic- 
cordijjg  to  a  tradition  which  he  declared  had  been 
received  from  Hermes.  The  churches  of  Ephesn? 
and  the  Asiatics  commemorated  the  resurrectio  :  of 
Jesus,  according  to  the  day  which  had  been  desig- 
nated by  Polycarp,  who  had  been  taught  as  John's 
disciple,  immediately  from  the  Apostle  himself  The 
principal  question  v/as,  whether  the  crucifixion  of 
our  Lord  should  be  memorialized  on  the  same  dry 
when  the  Jens  celebrated  their  Passover?  This  fri- 
volous dispute  excited  every  angry  passion,  and 
commenced  that  dissatisfaction  and  discord  which 
nnally  divided  the  Latins  and  Greeks,  into  two 
distinct,  and  often  inimical  bodies.  One  of  the  most 
astonishing  facts  connected  with  this  circumstance, 
and  a  most  lamentable  proof  of  human  degener-^cy 
and  imperfection,  is,  that  they  over  whom  the  swo^d 
of  persecution  ever  hung,  suspended  by  a  hair, 
and  for  whose  extinction,  the  incendiary  always 
held  the  torch  ready  to  kindle  the  fires  of  martyr- 
dom, should  thus  debase  their  pacific  religion,  and 
debilitate  their  more  than  mortal  energies,  by  child- 
ish disputations  as  absurd  as  they  were  unimportant ; 
and  yet  they  were  sustained  with  a  rancour  little  less 
malignant,  than  that  with  which  the  bitterness  of  the 
Heathen  Priesthood  inflamed  the  murderous  rabble. 
This  contemptible  controversy  eradicated  the  larger 
proportion  of  the  harmony  of  the  church,  during  the 
few  years  when  "the  Lord  gave  them  rest  roundabout 
from  all  their  enemies;^'  so  that  between  external 
storms  and  interior  discord,  we  may  reasonably  won- 
der, how  the  church  could  have  existed — but  it  was 
the  biish  in  realitv,  which  Moses  only  saw  in  svmbol, 
G 


50  F.CCLnSIASTICAL  IIISTORV.  L'.xTURi;:  in. 

and  though  Imrning,  it  cannot  be  cor. sinned,  for  the 
Lord  is  in  tiie  ])i]sli. 

IV.  The  <{C)i3ral  histor)j  of  ike  Church  and  of  its  pei^secv- 
tions^  will  inchide  all  that  remains  of  importance  in 
the  second  century :  but  this  comprises  those  cir- 
cumstances Avhich  embody  the  moral  features  of  the 
Roman  Empire,  as  well  as  of  the  Christians  vvithin  its 
boundaries. 

Never  might  tlie  higlily  figurative  lamentation  of 
Jeremiah  the  Prophet  of  Tears,  have  been  more  apt- 
ly applied,  than  by  the  Disciples  of  the  second  cen- 
tury. '•  Our  persecutors  are  swifter  than  the  eagles 
of  heaven  ;  they  pursued  us  upon  the  mountains,  they 
laid  Mait  ibr  us  in  the  wilderness." 

Their  situation  renders  ilitilc  all  attempts  to  de- 
lineate the  ceaseless  malignity,  and  not  only  unmiti- 
gable,  but  accelerating  barbarism,  which  the  Idola- 
ters exhibited  during  the  various  successive  genera- 
tions of  that  period.  Nothing  less  than  the  benefici- 
al results  w^hich  flow  from  the  retrospect,  could 
scarcely  urge  a  person  imbued  with  only  common 
sensibilities,  to  explore  the  heart-rending  annals  of 
those  prijiiitive  christians — but  truth  beckons,  and 
her  votaries  know,  that  however  mysterious  and  ap-' 
parently  inextricable  the  labyrintli,  she  infallibly  con- 
ducts those  who  follow  her,  to  light  and  life  and  joy. 

The  persecutions  of  the  second  century,  may  be 
illustrated  by  the  remembrance,  that  during  the  for- 
mer age,  "  the  wisdom  of  this  world"  had  centered 
almost  exclusively  in  the  Philosophers  of  Greece  and 
Rome.  With  the  unique  exception  of  Paul,  the  A- 
postle  of  the  Gentiles,  no  one  of  the  immediate  fol- 
lowers of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  appears  to  have  op- 
posed to  their  vain  reasonings,  a  confiitation  deduced 
trom  tlieir  own  absurdities.  Butaftei'  t!ie  departm-e 
of  the  last  of  the  most  noble  twelve,  John  the  Belov- 
ed ;  when  the  celestial  effusion  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  extraordinary  gift  of  cloven  tongues,  like  as  of 
fire,  with  the  miraculous  interpositions  of  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church,  had  partially  ceased  ;  and  when 


CENTURY    11.  r>l 

the  sublime  trutJis,  witli  the  august  efRcls  of  Divine 
Revelation,  were  developed  in  all  their  resplendency 
and  righteousness,  then  tlie  princes  even  of  the  ilUi- 
minated  Idolaters,  submitted  all  the  pride  of  learning, 
and  all  the  licentiousness  of  Bacchanals,  lo  the  wis- 
<^lom  of  the  cross,  and  the  sanctity  of  the  gracious 
Redeemer's  immaculate  prescriptions  and  example. 

The  conversions  of  Justin,  Aristides,  and  others  of 
tiie  Pagan  prime  devotees,  evolved  a  new  era.  Evan- 
gelical truth,  with  her  immutable  adherents,  liad  been 
supported  almost  entirely  by  her  own  simplicity  and 
consistency  ;  but  these  new  champions  of  the  faith 
transformed  the  contest  between  the  knowledge  and 
worship  of  the  one  true  God,  and  the  abominable 
mythologies  of  superstition  and  Idolatry,  which  had 
hitherto  been  sustained  by  a  defensive  and  resistless 
mode  of  warfare,  into  an  irresistible  assault  upon  all 
that  creed  which  Pagan  Philosophy  had  promulged, 
and  carnal  ignorance  had  deemed  sacred.  The  de- 
basing doctrines  of  the  Epicureans  and  Stoics,  were 
contrasted  with  the  holy  dictates  of  the  sacred  ora- 
cles— the  absurdities  of  Pantheism  were  arrayed 
against  the  luminous  injunctions  of  the  spirituality  of 
the  Godhead — the  arcana  of  the  Heathen  Priesthood 
were  displayed  as  a  foil  to  that  radiance  Mhich 
brings  "  life  and  immortality  to  light,  through  the 
blessed  Gospel  of  the  ever  glorious  God'"" — and  of 
course,  Demetrius  and  the  shrine-makers  were  a- 
larmed.  Prejudice  and  cupidity,  with  all  that  is 
selfish  in  principle,  and  sensual  in  action,  felt  the 
mortal  thrust,  and  roused  themselves  to  determined 
action.  Of  this  vast  combat,  which  was  waged  even 
at  the  foot  of  the  Imperial  throne,  few  memorials  ex- 
ist ;  but  the  scattered  remnants  eviijce,  thai,  before 
the  sword  of  the  spirit,  vv'ielded  under  divine  aid,  by 
the  Literary  Martyrs  of  the  second  century,  Greek 
and  Roman  Pagans  were  totally  discomfited;  and  that 
like  their  more  modern  successors,  the  only  arms  with 
which  they  could  crush  undoubted  verities,  were  the 
multifarious  torment^  of  relentless  persrcurton. 


52  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOUl.  LECTURE  III. 

To  a  reflecting  mind  of  the  nineteenth  century,  a 
question  naturaliy  arises  ;  how  could  the  execrable 
devastations  and  miseries  which  Christians  suffered, 
have  been  permitted  by  the  successive  chiefs  of  the 
Roman'empire  ?  especially  if  v.e  add,  that  by  the 
forced  confessions  of  their  incurably  inveterate  and 
malignant  opponents,  they  were  the  most  submissive, 
meek,  unoflending,  peaceable  and  virtuous  inhabit- 
ants under  their  sway  ?  One  answer  alone  can  be 
given  ; — the  disciples  of  the  Lamb  were  ridiculed, 
misrepresented  and  ca]umniated. 

It  is  also  a  fact  inconlcstablc,  that  these  ungodly 
machinations  were  often  commenced,  and  ever  in- 
flamed by  the  Jews,  in  all  points  where  their  influ- 
ence extended.  The  whole  fury  of  the  scattered 
tribes  was  ever  ingeniously  exerted.  As  the  Chris- 
tians professed  their  plenary  belief  in  the  sacred 
Books  of  the  Jews — when  persecution  misheathed 
her  sword,  the  descendants  from  Israel  were  often 
doomed  to  the  same  punishment — to  avoid  this  ex- 
tremity, the  Jews  never  ceased  to  vilify  the  followers 
of  tiie  Messiah,  that  they  might  escape  odium  and 
torture  ;  and  many  of  the  most  abhorrent  scenes 
of  that  terrific  period,  originated  in  the  same  spirit 
which  induced  their  ancestors  to  crucify  the  "  Lord 
of  life  and  glory." 

The  opposition  made  to  the  progress  of  Christian- 
ity during  the  second  century,  originated  in  one 
source,  and  produced  similar  elTects  ;  it  may,  in  all 
its  diversiiied  exhibition,  be  embodied  in  one  word, 
p,:--  ,:■  /f'ion  :  but  it  must  be  developed  in  its  threefold 
operation. 

1.  Calumny. — Nothing  can  more  irrefragably  dem- 
onstrate the  depravity  of  human  nature,  than  the  si- 
m'l.tude  which  exists  between  the  opponents  of  "pure 
and  undefded  religion,"  in  all  ages  : — and  did  we 
noL  sometimes,  however  impotent  their  efforts,  realize 
their  rage  even  in  these  United  States,  we  should  be 
surp;'ized  to  know  the  monstrous  excesses  with  which 
the  early  Christians  were  reproached.     Contempt 


CENTURY    11.  .13 

and  indignation,  in  their  utmost  extension,  -were  em- 
ployed by  those  Idolaters,  when  they  avowed  theit- 
enmity  to  the  gheep  of  the  Saviour's  fold. 
'  They  were  denounced  as  Atheists  ;  because  the} 
would  not  worship  the  images  made  with  hands,  oi 
Jupiter  and  Bacchus,  which  idol  nothings  they  de- 
rided, as  Elijah  scorned  the  Baal  of  the  Israelites  : 
they  were  accused  of  magic  and  witchcraft,  because 
in  them  was  displayed  the  power  of  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth, to  enable  his  servants,  according  to  his  promise, 
to  work  miracles  :  they  were  represented  as  haters 
of  the  light,  because  when  their  diabolical  enemies 
had  proscribed  them  from  worshipping  their  Beloved 
and  Gracious  Saviour  by  day,  they  assembled  in  the 
jiight ;  and  because  when  they  dared  not  meet  on  the 
face  of  the  earth,  they  ventured  to  pray  in  its  dens 
and  caverns  :  because  they  addressed  each  other 
under  the  Christian  epithets  of  Brothers  and  Sisters, 
they  were  depicted  as  an  unbridled  community  of 
incestuous  associates  :  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
supper  was  transformed,  by  their  misrepresentations, 
into  a  regular  sacrilice  of  bread,  accompanied  with 
human  blood  :  and  as  if  it  were  possible  to  exceed 
this  infernal  mass  of  lies  and  enmity,  the  Martyrs  who 
preferred  a  present  death  in  torture  and  Heaven,  to 
linal  apostacy  and  Hell,  were  ignominiously  reviled 
as  self-murderers. 

These  varied  criminalities  were  all  depicted  ae 
cemented  by  the  most  odious  magical  operations  ; 
and  as  intended  to  consummate  their  secret  designs 
and  plots  of  revolt  against  the  Imperial  Usurpers,  who 
called  themselves,  and  who  wished  to  be  known  as 
legitimate  Rulers. 

Aristides  and  Quadratus  offered  their  jastifications 
to  Adrian,  and  Justin  presented  his  apologies  to  An- 
toninus and  Aurelius.  To  these  literary  warriors 
may  be  subjoined,  Tatian,  who  began  the  warfare  by 
a  direct  attack  upon  idolatry  ;  Theophilus,  who  un- 
folded all  the  abominations  of  the  origin  of  their 
Gods  ;  and  Hermas,  who  compared  the  subtleties 


51  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORi'.  LECTURE  lU. 

and  in.-ipid  trash  of  the  Philosophers,  with  the  sublim- 
ity, harmony,  and  truth  of  the  Scriptures.  But  Ap- 
pollonius  stands  a  perermial  example  of  Christian 
fortitude  and  wisdom.  He  was  one  of"  the  Roman 
Senators,  and  consequently  of  the  very  highest  order 
in  the  Empire  ;  yet  he  ventured  to  pronounce  an 
oration  even  in  the  Senate,  in  defence  of  the  perse- 
cuted Believers  ;  the  triumph  of  truth  was  scaled  hi 
his  crown  of  martyrdom. 

An  almost  iiiercdihlefact  has  survived  the  desola- 
tions of  time — v/liile  the  most  relentless  fury  was  un- 
chained against  the  genuine  Christians,  the  various 
sects  of  Heretics  enjoyed  profound  quietude.  Two 
reasons  may  be  assigned  for  this  artificial  conduct. 
By  division,  they  expected  to  enfeeble  Christianity; 
and  thus  they  varnished  over  their  persecution,  by 
imputing  to  the  true  church,  the  crimes  of  its  enemies 
and  apostates. 

Nothing  can  be  more  refreshing  than  the  defence 
©f  Justin  Martyr,  against  the  calumnious  imputations 
cast  upon  the  children  of  God.  Jn  the  apology  which 
he  olli^red  to  Antoninus,  he  most  lucidly  and  elo- 
quently pourtrays  their  pious  concord,  their  ardent 
charity,  their  generous  self-denial,  their  absorption 
in  eternity,  tlieir  unshaken  confidence  in  the  Re- 
deemers promises,  their  patient  submission  in  every 
trial,  their  self-humiliation,  their  hatred  of  the  world 
and  its  maxims,  their  unceasing  vigilance  over  them- 
selves, their  assiduous  culture  of  all  the  interior  and 
secret  excellencies,  and  their  constant  preparation 
for  the  Martyr's  flight. 

To  demonstrate  the  utter  falsity  of  the  allegations 
brought  against  the  primitive  Christians,  listen  to  A- 
thenagoras  :  "  But,"  says  the  virtue-armed  Christian 
sage,  "  if  any  one  can  convict  us  of  any  crime,  either 
small  or  great,  we  will  not  deprecate  punishment, 
but  are  prepared  to  suffer  its  utmost  cruelty  :  Yea, 
we  wi4l  rather  hold  to  the  judgment,  that  we  may  be 
punished  for  the  crimes  which  we  have  committed. 
No  Christian  can  be  a  wicked  man,  unless  he  -belies 


CEKTURY    II,  55 

Ins  profession."  We  can  conceive  that  suffering  in- 
nocence might  thus  write  ;  but  it  is  impossible  for 
defenceless  guilt,  in  its  utmost  hnrdihood  and  insensi- 
bility, to  assume  effrontery  suificient  to  dare  its  judge 
to  the  inevitable  consequences  of  the  misery  attached 
to  assured  and  immediate  conviction.  The  inquiry 
is,  how  could  so  many  reproaches  have  originated, 
and  so  long  have  been  perpetuated,  unless  some 
cause  had  existed  on  which  to  found  them  ?  The 
primitive  church  was  obliged  to  conceal  their  ordi- 
nances, and  devotional  assemblies,  from  the  eyes  of 
their  enemies.  Pursued  througli  every  avenue  of 
the  Empire,  without  protection,  without  liberty,  with- 
out asylum,  without  human  resource — the  wildest 
deserts,  or  the  deepest  caverns,  were  the  only  tem- 
ples in  which,  unmolested  and  fearless,  they  could 
worship  the  God  of  their  devotions.  Hence,  their 
solemnities  were  enshrouded  in  sadness  and  the  si- 
lence of  the  night ;  and  of  course,  bore  the  resem- 
blance of  mystery.  This  afforded  to  the  Pagan  devo- 
tees, the  basis  of  their  injurious  stigmas  against  the 
professors  of  the  Gospel.  The  fatal  prejudices  thus 
excited,  long  continued  ;  Justin  was  the  lirst  writer 
who  unfolded  all  the  simplicity  and  sanctity  of  Chris- 
tian institutions,  and  thus  demonstrated  the  injustice 
of  their  foes,  and  the  indefensible  malignity  of  their 
persecutions. 

Respecting  the  slander,  that  they  were  privily  ar- 
ranging a  destruction  of  the  Imperial  Government  as 
then  established  ;  the  following  striking  extracts  from 
tv»o  of  the  Apologists  of  that  period  sutHciently  evince 
that  the  spirit  of  opposition  to  Revealed  Truth,  and 
the  allotments  of  its  defenders,  arc  nearly  identical 
in  all  countries  and  generations. 

"  What  traces  of  Atheism  can  be  discovered  in 
those  who  worship  an  infinite  Creator  ?  How  can 
they  barbarously  immolate  human  victims  to  him, 
when  they  abstain  from  all  animal  blood,  and  cannot 
even  endure  the  recital  of  homicide  ?  What  ridicu- 
lous injuitice  must  that  be,  which  transforms  the  af- 


56  ECCLESIASTICAL  HJSTORV.  TLXlIliEIII. 

lections  of  piety  and  the  most  scrupulous  t^oniifKiicc, 
into  abominable  incest  ?  What  shadow  ol"  a  slmdc 
exists  for  the  appearance  of  revolt  nmong  them,  whose 
onlj  arms  are  faitli,  obedience  and  prayer  ?  Daring 
the  long  train  of  envenomed  persecutors,  all  more 
obstinately  determined  to  destroy  Christians,  than  to 
counteract  the  Scythians  and  Parthians,  what  Be- 
liever ever  armed  himself  for  deliverance  ?  On  the 
contrary,  although  discord  was  universal;  Rome,  the 
Senate,  and  the  Armies,  contended  for  the  supreme 
power  ;  the  banner  of  independence  was  unfurled  in 
every  province  ;  seditions  were  enkindled  in  ever> 
department ;  and  although  Emperors  Vvcre  exalted 
and  degraded  by  conspirators  ;  the  Christian  alone 
acknowledged  the  Persecuting  Tyrants  to  be  his 
Masters,  and  preferred  the  continuance  of  his  pains, 
to  the  liberation  which  could  not  be  obtained  with- 
out rebellion."  The  love  of  social  order,  the  prefer- 
ence of  the  public  good  to  individual  advantage,  due 
subordination  to  the  laws,  and  perfect  docility  to  the 
Imperial  edicts,  when  conscience  was  not  interested, 
were  the  characteristic  features  of  those  disciples. 
That  we  may  understand  the  matter,  as  well  as  the 
manner,  of  the  Believers'  petitions,  one  of  them  sub- 
joins— "Christians  supplicate  the  throne  of  Grace, 
with  expanded  arms,  because  they  are  innocent ;  with 
uncovered  heads,  for  they  are  not  ashamed  ;  withoui. 
a  form  or  promptu,  because  we  pray  from  the  heart, 
that  Csesar  may  enjoy  all  that  Caesar  himself  desires." 
The  calumnies,  with  their  authors,  would  have  been 
extinguished  in  utter  oblivion,  had  not  the  Lord  gra- 
ciously permitted  the  triumphant  refutations  of  these 
undeniable  witnesses,  to  survive  tlie  "  wreck  of  em- 
pires, and  the  crush  of  time." 

ff  we  reflect  that  ^11  those,  with  innumerable  other 
falsehoods,  progressively  increasing  in  extent  and 
baseness,  had  been  disseminated  throughout  the  Ro- 
man Empire,  during  nearly  one  hundred  years,  with 
no  other  contradiction  than  the  radiance  of  tlie  Gos- 
pel, and  the  faith  and  patience  of  the  Saints,  we  shall 


CEI'TURY    II.  57 

thea  nlmost  cease  to  feel  astonishment  at  the  horri- 
hle  infatuation  of  that  part  of  tlie  ruffians  who  glutted 
themselves  with  Christians'  gore,  and  feasted  on  the 
torments  of  excruciated  and  expiring  humanity. 

2.  T/ie  blasphemies  and  ribaldry  of  the  Priests  and. 
Philosophers,  constitute  a  very  essential  proportion,  of 
tiiat  energy  which  impelled  the  machine  of  persecu- 
tion so  long  and  so  vigorously  to  operate.  They  in- 
flamed the  rabble ;  and  a  lioman  commonalty  were 
proverbially  cruel :  their  public  shows  and  most  be- 
loved entertainments,  which  were  universal  througli- 
out  the  Empire,  and  which  were  continually  recur- 
ring, especially  in  all  the  metropolitan  cities,  that  in^ 
variably  and  necessarily  determine  the  character, 
taste  and  propensities  of  the  territories  over  which 
they  exercise  inllucnce,  were  exhibitions  and  amuse- 
ments, forming  a  combination  of  the  most  unnatural 
indecencies,  and  the  most  refined  barbarity.  The 
glory  of  the  scene  consisted  in  the  adroitness  with 
which  the  conflicting  Gladiators  and  Captives  could 
murder  each  other,  and  in  the  streams  of  human 
blood  which  incarnadined  these  Aceldamas.  This 
sanguinary  disposition  becaihe  at  last  so  ungoverna- 
ble, that  like  the  horse  leach  it  cried  give,  give;  and 
as  the  rapacious  grave,  still  remained  unglutted.  In 
times  of  discontent  and  turbulence,  these  bloody 
dramas  were  performed  to  quench  the  popular  fer- 
ment; and  an  ensanguined  mob,  stimulated  by  the 
enraged  Bacchanals,  Priests,  and  Priestesses,  sanc- 
tioned by  odious,  corrupt  and  despotic  Governors, 
who  naturally  must  have  been  solicitous  to  bury  their 
ceaseless  iniquities  in  the  sepulchre  of  forgetfulness, 
always  could  draw  upon  the  Bank  of  Faith,  to  sup- 
ply their  raptures  as  hum.an  life  exhaled,  and  Christ- 
ian example  was  banished.  The  records  of  the  Mar- 
tyrs point  out  two  modes  by  wh.ich  the  infernal  pro- 
pensities of  these  inhuman  multitudes  were  often  at- 
tempted to  be  satiated,  and  wliich  nothing  but  the 
matchless  grace  of  God  could  possibly  have  enabled 
them  to  endure.  The  defdement  and  pollution  to 
H 


58  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  ii'x', 

wliich  the  Fem?.le  disciples  were  oblio;cd  to  submit, 
will  never  be  known  in  liill  until  that  day^  when  the 
secrets  ot  "all  hearts  shall  be  disclosed— but  one,  if  not 
the  most  applauded  act  olthis  grand  Theatre  of  ex- 
uit  ition  in  wo,  seems  to  combine  every  machination 
oi  tiend-like  depravity  which  could  be  transplanted 
from  Pandmoiiium  to  Rome.  The  harmless  Sheep 
were  dragged  from  their  dungeons  naked,  to  the  im- 
mense and  crowded  Amphitheatres,  and  there  the 
Brethren  and  Sisters  were  urged  to  slaughter  each 
other — and  when  at  last  no  torture  could  incite  them 
to  participate  in  this  diabolical  contrivance,  and 
when  the  cries  for  blood  from  all  parts  of  the  multi- 
tudes could  no  longer  be  resisted — Gladiators  and 
Wild  Beasts  were  both  unfettered  that  the  Lion's 
roar  might  be  accompanied  with  the  worse  than  Can- 
nibal shout.  Yet  all  this  impetuosity  might  have 
b'^en  restrained;  ard  this  dreadful  depravation  of 
intellect  and  sensibility  miji;ht  have  been  repressed 
and  healed— had  not  the  supreme  authority  not  mere- 
ly connived  at  these  scenes,  but  actually  directed 
their  display.  This  developes  the  master  agents  of 
these  inonstrous  impieties  and  horrors. 

3.  hnperiid  edkt^  gave  the  impetus  to  the  battering 
ram  with  which  it  was  hoped  to  subvert  the  super- 
structure of  the  church,  and  to  remove  the  Rock  of 
ag-  -  on  which  its  foundation  v»'as  established. 

rhe  Princes  who  held  the  Roman  sceptre  during 
this  century,  and  by  whose  instrumentality  the  church- 
es of  Christ  were  so  severely  tried  in  every  varied 
form,  oftorture,  must  be  successively  arraigned. 

Trajun.  When  he  a,ssumed  the  Imperial  authority, 
no  edicts  against  the  disciples  of  Jesus  existed.  The 
laws  of  Nero  had  been  annulled  by  the  Senate,  and 
Nerva  hnd  abr  .gated  the  infm-iated  proscriptions  of 
Domitian.  Sriii  the  fury  of  the  outrageous  mobs  and 
the  demands  of  the  bloody  Priests  supphed  the  de- 
fect, and  as  often  as  the  Governors  were  solicited, 
they  were  unwilling  or  dared  not  refuse  to  deliver  up 
inimraerable  multitudes  of  the  children  of  God,  like 


CENTURY    n.  59 

Sampson  of  old  in  the  house  of  Dagon  to  make  sport 
for  the  Philistmes.  Notwithstanding  all  the  eulogy 
which  has  been  bestowed  upon  Trajan  for  his  wis- 
dom, clemency  and  other  Imperial  virtues  ;  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  if  his  conduct  towards  the  Nazarenes  be 
the  criterion  of  our  judgment,  we  must  pronounce, 
that  he  was  a  conlirmed  prejudiced  Idolater,  who 
meditated  the  total  extinction  of  Christianity.  One 
instance  of  his  conduct  slinll  suffice.  In  Bithynia  of 
which  Pliny  w^as  Governor — the  Christians  were  so 
numerous  that  the  Heathen  Temples  were  frequent- 
ly desolate — yet  by  the  force  of  power,  incalculable 
numbers  died  in  extreme  excracialion  rather  than 
join  the  orgies  of  idolatry.  Pliny  wrote  a  letter  to 
Trajan  requesting  directions  liow  to  act;  his  Epis- 
tle is  an  authentic  national  document :  from  it  we 
learn,  that  the  Christians  were  very  numerous,  most 
exemplarily  pious,  and  inoffensive ;  their  only  crime, 
that  at  certain  regular  and  appointed  seasons  they 
assembled  to  sing  certain  hymns  to  one  Christ  their 
God,  and  to  covenant  that  they  would  abstain  from 
theft,  fraud,  falsehood,  adultery  and  murder — and  not- 
withstanding their  peaceable  demeanour,  they  were 
sorely  persecuted  because  they  would  not  renounce 
Jesus  Christ.  This  information  he  declared  that  he 
received  from  Apostates,  whose  testimony  w as  also 
confirmed  by  '•  two  young  females  who  were  examin- 
ed by  torments  and  the  rack."  Nov/  this  panegyri- 
zed Trajan  in  his  reply  directs ;  that  every  person 
who  was  accused  and  convicted  of  adhering  to  the 
faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus  should  suffer  decapitation. 

In  Asia  one  of  the  Governors  exerted  the  utmost 
coercion  of  persecuting  rage.  He  so  wearied  them 
w^ith  unintermitted  cruelties  and  oppressions,  ma- 
ny thousands  having  been  tortured  to  death  ;  that  on 
one  occasion,  probably  to  plead  for  their  sufferi  ig 
brethren,  the  whole  body  of  the  chi;rch  preserved 
themselves  before  his  tribunal ;  he  immediately  or- 
dered a  few  of  them  to  execution,  and  dismissing  the 
rest  said,  "  Miserable  people,  if  you  choose  death 


GO  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.      ,        LEt  TIRE  III. 

roil  may  imd  precipices  and  halters  enough."  ft 
seems  that  the  Savage  was  at  last  drenched  Mith 
christian  blood. 

Three  oithc  exalted  worthies  of  that  age  require 
distinct  memorials.  Some  of  the  Jews  accused  Si- 
meon, 120  years  of  age,  the  son  of  that  Cleopas  with 
v/hom  we  have  so  often  felt  our  hearts  burning  within 
us  when  we  have  been  walking  with  him  and  the 
mysterious  stanger  to  Emm.'us ;  during  many  days  in 
succession  he  was  most  cruelly  scourged,  until  at 
length  fatigued  with  that  tedious  mode  of  extermina- 
ting vitality,  they  crucified  him  like  his  master. 

Phocas  was  commanded  by  Trnjan  in  person,  be- 
cause he  would  not  sacrifice  to  Neptune,  to  be  im- 
mured in  a  burfiinglime  kiln — and  thence  still  living, 
he  was  thrown  into  a  boiling  bath.  Yet  this  is  the 
far-famed,  the  exemplary  and  the  merciful  Trajan  ; 
if  this  is  Royal  benevolence,  what  is  vulgar  cruelty  ? 

As  Trajan  was  travelling  to  the  East,  he  rested  at 
Antioch,.  where  Ignatius  had  preached  the  Gospel 
nearly  forty  years,  with  Apostolic  power  and  success. 
Trnja!!  summoned  tlie  veteran  into  the  Imperial  pre- 
sence ;  and  iiaving  required  him  to  deny  the  Lord  Je- 
sus, which  was  as  peremptorily  refused,  he  adjutlg- 
ed  iiim  to  be  conducted  to  Rome,  and  there  in  the 
usual  slaughter-house  to  be  given  to  the  Lions.  Tra- 
jan doubtless  thought  the  nobler  the  victim,  the  deep- 
er the  ignominy,  and  exulted  in  the  philanthropic 
sport,  Vviiich  he  had  contrived  for  the  debauched 
canaille  of  the  mistn^ss  of  the  world.  Chained  day 
and  night  to  ten  soldiers,  during  a  protracted  jour- 
ney and  voyage  of  more  than  2000  miles,  Ignatius 
seemed  to  rise  more  dauntless  and  pure  in  propor- 
tion to  his  tedious  and  miserable  captivity.  He  arriv- 
ed and  was  speedily  devoured. 

It  is  high  time  to  strip  these  Imperial  Spoilers  and 
Tyranls  of  i\ic\.\-  purple  and  their  laurels,  and. to 
exhibit  them,  not  in  the  garb  of  Infidel  panegyric,  but 
in  the  g'^nulne  manufacture  of  impartial  Christianity ; 
and  we  may  a,t^ter  this  review  of  Trajan's  persecntiort 


CEXTURY    II. 


61 


with  wonder  inquire,  How  could  the  church  survive  ? 
One  reason  only  can  be  given,  it  was  the  rapture  of 
prophecy — ''  The  Lord  is  Judge,  the  Lord  is  our 
Lawgiver,  the  Lord  is  our  King ;  he  will  save  us." 

Adrian.  Although  this  Emperor  never  issued  any 
edicts  of  a  persecuting  nature,  yet'the  non-repeal  of 
those  which  Trajan  had  promulged,  conduced  to  the 
same  effects.  By  tlie  law  of  Trajan,  if  a  person  could 
so  conceal  his  attachment  to  the  Gospel  as  to  evade 
public  accusation,  he  was  safe  ;  and  Adrian  had 
given  no  impulse  to  tlie  executioner's  employ.  It 
was  at  this  period,  that  some  of  the  scenes  already 
briefly  described  occurred.  The  blood-thirsty  pop- 
ulace, stimulated  by  the  interested  and  revengeful 
priests,  in  the  most  tumultuous  manner,  demanded  at 
the  public  games,  the  destruction  of  the  Christians  ; 
wiiich  was  often  granted,  from  the  fears  and  disposi- 
tions of  the  Governors.  We  are  informed,  that  up- 
w^ards  of  ten  thousand  disciples  were  butchered  at 
one  time  in  Rome,  to  appease  the  clamours  of  the 
infuriated  populace.  Around  Mount  Ararat,  there 
Avas  formerly  celebrated  an  annual  festival,  to  com- 
memorate the  resting  of  Noah's  ark  upon  the  top  ot 
the  mountain — it  was  accompanied  with  every  spe- 
cies of  the  most  brutal  riot  and  licentiousness  ;  on 
one  of  these  occasions  during  the  reign  of  Adrian,  to 
augment  the  universal  festivity,  they  erected  a  large 
number  of  crosses  ;  and  historians  assure  us,  that 
after  they  had  crowned  the  Christians  with  thorns, 
they  crucified  on  that  occasion  nearly  ten  thousand 
©f  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  ;  and  that  they  might 
witness  their  expiring  agonies,  they  thrust  into  their 
iides  sharp  darts,  after  the  similitude  of  their  Re- 
deemer's death. 

These  scenes  continued  to  be  exhibited  during 
nearly  seven  years,  when  Adrian  having  perused  the 
apologies  of  Quadratus  and  Aristides,  and  urged  by 
the  importunities  of  Gratianus,  the  pro-consul  of  Asia., 
not  to  sanction  that  most  unreasonable  injustice,  the 
slaughter  of  Christians  guiltless  and  without  trial  ; 


62  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTSRY.  LECTURE  IIL 

he  directed  at  once,  that  no  Christian  should  be  mo- 
lested solely  on  account  of  his  religious  faith  ;  thus 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  the  Tyrant's  arm  Avas  re- 
strained, and  a  respite  of  peace  alibrded  to  the  ago- 
nized and  agitated  church. 

The  next  emperor,  Marcus  Pius,  preserved  the 
disciples  in  quietude  ;  he  withered  the  arm  of  mur- 
derous rage  by  decreeing  that  if  a  christian  were 
convicted  of  adhering  obstinately  to  his  profession, 
he  should  be  discharged,  but  his  accuser  should  suf- 
fer the  usual  punishment  awarded  to  calumniators. 
Thus  by  the  rigid  execution  of  his  righteous  edict, 
during  the  reign  of  Pius,  the  christians  worshipped 
God  in  peace. 

The  mercy  of  Heathens  was  too  great  a  blessing 
for  the  possession  of  Christians  ; — hence,  after  the 
reign  of  Pius  had  closed,  Aurelius  Antoninus  obtained 
the  throne  ;  a  philosopher  whose  extraordinary  wis- 
dom and  virtue  have  been  a  standing  topic  of  eulogy 
and  eloquence  during  the  last  1600  years,  among  the 
Pagan  and  Infidel  Orators  and  Authors  and  Poets. 
But  the  most  evident  proofs  which  he  ever  gave  of 
superior  intellect  or  morality,  are  embodied  in  tl^e 
fact,  that  during  nineteen  years  he  was  an  implacable 
persecutor  of  Christians  ;  and  to  them,  Nero  liimself 
scarcely  surpassed  his  injustice  and  barbarities.  Nev- 
er was  a  cause  more  luminously  and  irrefragably  de- 
fended than  by  Justin,  Athenagoras  and  Tatian,  and 
never  was  merciless  cruelty  more  Avidely  extended 
and  more  powerfully  exerted  than  under  the  reign  of 
this  impurpled  Despot  in  a  philosopher's  cloak. 

The  death  of  Polycarp,  the  disciple  of  John  the 
Apostle,  excited  peculiar  interest ;  his  terrestrial  re- 
cord remains  in  the  letter  written  by  the  church  of 
Smyrna  to  their  brethren  of  Pontus.  From  this 
epistle  we  ascertain  the  extremity  of  those  tortures 
which  the  humanity  and  beneficence  of  this  Antoninus 
commanded  to  be  inflicted  upon  those  who  would  not 
bow  down  to  his  idol.  The  persons  who  wit^iessed 
the  treatment  of  the  martyrs  were  utterly  astounded 


CENTURY  n.  63 

at  the  admirable  but  incredible  patience  which  they 
displayed.  They  were  scourged  and  whipped,  until 
the  internal  veins  and  arteries  and  members  appear- 
ed ;  afterwards  in  this  wretched  condition  they  were 
obliged  to  walk  and  were  rolled  upon  pointed  shells, 
nails,  thorns,  and  goads  sharpened  for  the  purpose  ; 
and  ingenuity  itself  having  been  exhausted  in  devis- 
ing torments,  they  were  lastly  transferred  to  the 
beasts  of  prey.  We  are  assured,  that  at  the  sight  of 
the  peculiar  and  invincible  constancy  of  two  of  the 
martyrs  in  the  midst  of  unparalleled  corporeal  la- 
ceration, one  of  the  rabble  vociferated  aloud,  "  Vere 
magnus  Deus  Christianorum."  Verily,  great  is  the 
God  of  Christians.  He  was  immediately  seized,  and 
partook  of  their  martyrdom. 

In  one  of  these  murderous  assemblies,  the  whole 
multitude  demanded  Polycarp — When  conducted  be- 
fore the  Proconsul,  and  commanded  to  offer  sacrifice 
to  the  Emperor's  image,  he  peremptorily  refused. 
As  the  guards  were  conducting  him  to  the  seat  of 
judgment,  a  voice  from  Heaven, it  was  beheved,  was 
heard,  amid  the  uproar  and  shouting  of  the  rabble 
that  Polycarp  was  apprehended  ;  the  supernatural 
address  said,  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  Polycarp,  and  play 
the  man."  The  Proconsul  menaced  him  with  the 
wild  beasts  and  with  fire,  for  his  refusal  to  sacrifice 
to  Caesar's  statue — "  Eighty  and  six  years,"  said  the 
saint,  "  have  I  served  my  Master ;  and  how  can  I 
speak  evil  of  him  .'"'  Immediately  after  he  had 
avowed  himself  a  Christian,  the  crowd  of  Jews  and 
Gentiles  at  Smyrna  instantaneously  and  with  most 
vehement  rage  and  noise  shouted,  "  This  is  the  Fa- 
ther of  the  Christians  and  the  destroyer  of  our  Gods." 
A  most  noble  God  which  man  could  de&troy !  "  Give 
him  to  the  Lion" — but  Polycarp  had  a  short  time  be- 
fore seen  a  vision,  from  which  he  assured  the  church 
at  Smyrna,  that  he  should  speedily  be  burnt :  the 
Proconsul  refused  their  desire  that  he  should  be  de- 
voured by  the  Lion,  but  commanded  him  to  be  con- 
sumed alive  by  conflagration.     When  he  was  tied  t© 


G4  ECCLESIASTICAL    UISTORI'.  LECTURE  111. 

the  stake,  the  fire  having  been  kindled,  the  ilame 
immediately  divided,  and  formed  an  arch  above  and 
around  him,  so  that  the  fire  could  not  molest  his 
body;  a  sword  pierced  his  heart,  and  the  quantity  of 
blood  which  flowed  extini^uished  the  fire  ;  but  at 
length  his  corpse  was  totally  destroyed  in  the  second 
burning. 

It  w'ould  involve  more  particularity  of  detail  than 
is  necessary,  to  recapitulate  the  boundless  extent  and 
ceaseless  repetition  of  these  horrors.  Many  of  the 
most  noble  Christian  dignitaries  were  transported 
into  Heaven  during  the  prevalence  of  the  fiery  storm. 
Justin,  whose  learning  and  eloquence,  and  arguments 
and  facts  had  silenced  Bacchanalian  calumny,  and 
sheathed  the  sword  of  Persecution  under  Marcus 
Pius,  during  the  early  part  of  the  reign  of  his  succes- 
sor, was  remunerated  by  the  Prefect's  outrageous  de- 
nunciation, "•  let  him  be  first  scourged,  and  then  be- 
headed"— six  of  his  fellow  Christians  from  the  same 
dungeon  accompanying  him  by  similar  decapitation 
to  the  joys  of  Paradise.    3. 

The  world  which  we  inhabit  is  a  world  of  muta- 
tion ;  before  its  destiny  equally  bows  the  Beggar's 
statF  and  the  Tyrant's  sword  ;  at  length  Antoninus 
disappeared  and  bequeathed  to  Commodus  his  pow- 
er, but  carried  with  him  to  Hades  his  bjirbarism. 

During  the  greater  portion  of  the  century  which 
remained,  the  empire  was  in  peace  respecting  Chris- 
tianity, but  the  Lord  removed  the  young  and  careless 
Emperor  ;  and  a  stern  adherent  of  Paganism  suc- 
ceeded— whose  nature  was  embodied  in  his  name, 
Severus,  and  who  after  many  years  of  quietude,  re- 
sounded the  horrific  blast  of  war,  and  rekindled  the 
volcano  for  the  Martyr's  fiery  destruction. 

From  this  narrative  we  deduce  tlie  depravity  of  hu- 
man nature.  Solitary  instances  of  guilt  may  be  over- 
looked without  an  impeachment  of  a  general  system  ; 
but  it  is  impossible  to  develope  uniibrm  and  gener- 
al evolutions  of  turpitude,  of  themost  proporti©nate 

3.  Appendix  VI. 


1  ENTLUY    U.  *j;j 

symmciFv  r<!id"the  most  amplified  extent,  ■vviiiiout  re- 
femiig  them  to  ibat  very  humiliatirig  principle, the  de- 
generacy of  man,  wliiea  Clirisiianity  reveals  ;  and  it 
cannot  be  disputed,  that  to  this  corruption   alone, 
mast  be  appropriated  these  monstrous  excesses  tha; 
defy  not  only  ail  description,  but  also  ail  credibility 
No  atrocities  are  too  great  for  the  agency  of  nie-  . 
when  they  are  r.ol  restrained  by  the  grace  of  God 
and  this  deduction  forms  the  strongest  ceinent  whie'- 
binds  Christian  faith  around  the  cross  of  the  glorio'j. 
Friend  of  Sinners,  unites  penitence  and  prayer,  air' 
excites  through  evangelical  hope,  the  utmost  expec 
tation  of  final  peace  and  triumph  in  him  "who  (.lie-' 
that  we  may  live." 

How  imperfect  is  the  higliest  grade  of  terrcstri 
excellence  !  Even  dignitied  Christians,  when  r;( 
persecuted  by  relentless  tyrants,  debilitated  ih^/. 
own  powerful  associated  energies,  by  frivolous  dispr 
tations  and  obstinately  inflexible  anathemas  ;  whi' 
the  histery  of  the  seven  churches  of  Asia  admonis!':; : 
us,  how  sedulously  we  should  endeavour  to  counte: 
act  the  destructive  irruptions  of  heresy,  anij  the  st 
ducing  fiscinations  which  ever  urge  us  to  a  confonii 
ity  with  tlie  world  in  its  spirit,  principles  and  convo: 
sation.  ■ 

Studioiwly  emulate  "  the  example  of  them  who  rov. 
through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  piomises  !'' 

"  The  good  iight  of  faith"  is  a  contest  unmitign- 
blc  in  sharpness,  and  indefinite  in  extent.  Here 
Ave  behold  arrayed  against  harmless,  patient,  unrc 
sisting  and  generally  illiterate  sheep,  all  the  learning 
malice  and  power  of  a  malignant  v.orld  ;  but  thcK: 
were  marshalled  in  vain.  Their  meekness  could  no: 
be  irritated  or  vanquished  ;  their  patience  it  was  im- 
possible to  transform  into  anger  ;  their  defencelef-.' 
attitude  could  not  be  excited  into  rebelhon  or  resist- 
tance ;  and  their  heaven-born  confidence  could  ncl 
be  intimidated,  though  torture  and  death  appalled — 
though  Proconsuls  and  Governors  condemned  ;  stil! 
tliev  preserved  all  the  illumination  of  frdth  and  r.ll 
i 


66  ECCLESlAiTi'    Af,  Hl'^rorvV.  LECTURE  ril. 

the  fervour  of  devolion.  In  the  midst  of  Imperial 
splendour  and  Amphitheatrical  barbarity,  with  the 
ahi:iost  incessant  and  universal  slaughter  or  conlla- 
grations  of  the  church.  '•  Blessed  are  the  dead  v/ho 
die  in  the  Lord,  they  rest  from  their  labours,  and 
their  works  do  follow  them."  "  Here  is  the  faith  and 
patience  of  the  sai,nts"  embodied  in  their  triumph. — 
The  Martyr  dies,  but  the  Christian  survives  !  Poly- 
carp,  Ignatius  and  Justin  vanish,  yet  the  Church 
stands  !  Trajan,  Adrian  and  Antoninus  governed, 
and  are  almost  obliterated  !  "  I  saw  the  wicked 
buried,  who  had  come  and  gone  from  the  place  of  the 
holy,  and  they  were  forgotten  in  the  city  where  they 
had  so  done."  How  imperishable  the  record  !  Iioat 
august  the  duplicate  example  !  Tiiis  is  the  invulner- 
able argument  for  your  confidence  !  Here  is  the  im- 
penetrable shield  against  external  fury  !  This  grace 
is  the  infallible  guide  to  his  '•presence,  where  there 
is  fulness  of  joy,  and  to  his  vi^ht  hand.  w:kere  then^ 
are  pleasures  for  evermore." 


The  thirds  fourth  and  fifth  Apoccdyptic  seals — the  eminent 
Christians — the  interior  state — the  Doctrines — the  Gov- 
ernment — the  Heresies — a7id  the  Persecutions  of  the 
Church,  during  the  third  Ce'^tury. 


The  visions  of  the  Apostle  depicted  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  the  ReveLition,  from  the  fifth  to  the  eighth 
verses,  contain  a  prophetic  dehneation  of  the  Roman 
empire  during  the  third  century  ;  and  of  its  graphical 
correctness,  all  the  surviving  histories  of  that  period 
furnish  us  most  ample  demonstration.  The  first  of 
these  seals  has  been  applied  to  the  reigns  of  Severus 
and  Alexander,  in  which  era,  the  want  of  the  neces- 
saries of  life  was  generally,  severely  and  almost  con- 
stantly experienced.  A  peim^'  was  the  common  daily 
wages,  and  twenty  of  the  measures  here  referred  to 
were  usually  sold  at  that  price  ;  but  in  this  scarcity, 
one  only  could  be  procured,  and  consequently  a  man's 
diurnal  labour  was  not  valued  at  more  than  bread 
for  himself  : — but  oil  and  wine  were  exceedingly 
plentiful;  hence  these  privations  attached  principal- 
ly to  the  poor ;  and  as  almost  all  the  Christians  were 
from  various  causes  enumerated  among  the  lower  or- 
ders, their  sufferings,  especially  when  increased  by 
every  species  of  oppression  and  persecution,  must 
have  been  indescribably  horrific. 

The  fourth  seal  developes  an  accumulation  of 
wretchedness  ;  the  sword,  famine,  pestilence  and  fe- 
rocious beasts  were  all  embodied  and  marshalled  in 
the  train  of  Death  seated  on  a  pr.lc  livid  green  horse, 
and  the  Grave  his  folloAver,  to  desolate  and  kill  the 
fourth  part  of  the  earth.  All  the  Instorians  of  that 
most  direful  age  coincide  in  their  details  of  the  in- 


6B  IXCLEHIASiU;  \l,  HISTORV.  LECTLRi.  IV. 

•lefinilcly  diversified,  boundless  and  almost  unceasing 
ealainities  which  the  Roman  empire  realized  diirii-g 
the  last  rii'iy  years  of  the  third  century. 

Maximin,  tiie  Emperor,  was  a  monster  of  insatiate 
cruelty — the  picture  of  his  reign,  and  of  some  of  his 
successors,  is  a  commingled  assemblage  of  war,  mur- 
der, mLUi[iy,  invasions  irom  abroad,  internal  rebel- 
lions, and  civil  clissentions.  These  contests  arid  de- 
vastations were  necessarily  attended  by  iiunger;  and 
from  tho  deficieiiCy  of  food,  one  of  the  a:;nies  muti- 
nied and  murdered  the  Emperor  Probus ;  v.hilo  the 
same  dearth  extended  through  every  part  of  ihe  Ro- 
man territories.  The-^e  evils  were  augmented  by  a 
pestilence  which, from  its  commencement  in  Ethiopia, 
ravaged  every  province  during  fifteen  years. 

Two  reigns  are  desi'ribcd  as  reiifiarkable  for  iioth- 
ing  but  this  wondrous  visitor's  deadly  operations. 
The  Scythians,  in  the  detcnceless  condition  of  the 
state,  captured  and  depopulated  all  the  boundaries 
of  the  different  regions — 5000  persons  v/ere  diurnaily 
victims  of  the  distempers  which  walked  in  darkness, 
and  of  the  destructioji  which  Avasted  at  noon-day  ; 
and  as  map.y  portions  of  the  empire  were  consequent- 
ly uncultivated,  urinliabited,  and  not  even  travelled, 
tiie  wild  beasts  maliiplicd  prodigiouslj^,  nr.d  from 
hunger  became  incor;ceivably  ferocious  ;  insomuch 
that  large  troops  of  lions  and  wolves  entered  the 
citics-and  towns,  and  a  regular  warfai'e  for  a  long 
period  was  requisite,  prior  to  that  extijiction  of  their 
numbers,  when  the  inhabitants  could  remain  in  their 
disiricis  witliout  alarm.  The  vision  was  thus  fully, 
thoup;h  most  mournfully  verified  ;  not  less  than  one 
fourth  p'trt  of  tiie  immense  population  scattered  from 
the  Danube  in  Europe  to  the  Atlas  Mountains  in  Af- 
rica, and  from  t!)e  A^tlantic  Ocean  to  the  Euphra- 
tes, died  during  the  prevalence  of  this  tremendous 
scourge. 

But  where  was  the  church  of  the  living  God,  when 
•hf's^^  storms  arose,  and  tliese  tempests  blew,  and 
I'".  •;;'  Hoo'l^  came  ?     All  assailed  her  Avilh  tornados 


still  more  appiiiiino-,  but  llic  house  fell  not,  for  it  was 
founded  upon  the  dock. 

A  dislinct  view  of  her  coiiditioD,  character  and 
trials,  during  this  centurial  revolution,  Vvill  condense 
the  history  to  that  most  stupendous  alteration  in  her 
alfiirs  which  w^as  conducted  by  the  histrumentaJiiy 
of  Constanthie. 

In  the  situaiion  both  of  the  Jevts  and  of  ihe  Pagans, 
some  circumstances  existed  wiiich  tended  to  uphold 
the  aliiicted  disciples.  Notwithstanding  ail  the  num- 
berless and  indescribable  horrors  which  continually 
and  univ'ersally  encircled  the  stedfast  Christians,  yet 
the  Lord  permitted  several  Emperors  to  reign  in  the 
T)rogref;s  of  this  period,  who  afibrded  to  the  Bciiev- 
rs  a  short  space  in  which  to  recover  their  strength 
o.hen  persecution  had  enfeebled  them  ;  and  as  in  the 
•me  of  this  respite  no  (.liligence  Vv^as  wanting,  and 
every  exertion  was  made  to  disseminate  the  light  and 
the  truth,  it  ensued,  that  the  Kingdom  of  the  Re- 
deemer was  much  enlarged,  and  the  societies  of 
Christians  astonishingly  multiplied.  Although  the 
seed  of  Jacob  still  cherished  their  former  obduracy 
and  hatred  against  the  followers  of  Messiah,  yet  their 
political  induence  and  power  had  become  so  small, 
and  their  state  so  degraded,  that  they  were  not 
equally  capacitated  to  molest  and  harrass  the  church, 
as  during  the  prior  geneiations. 

The  Pagan  mythology  was  yet  maintained  by  n 
number  of  writers,  who  employed  every  art  of  ridi- 
cule and  the  most  atrocious  calumnies  against  the 
Chnstian  Oracles  and  system,  to  support  the  reign  of 
kiolntry.  Lives  of  Heathen  Philosophers  were  pub- 
lished, emblazoning  tliera  with  the  most  splendid 
virtues,  in  contrast  with  the  immaculate  course  of 
lmm;inuel  ;  but  notwithstanding  the  unrelentiijg  m:i- 
ligiiity  of  the  Priests,  who,  as  often-  as  practicable, 
stimulated  the  fury  of  the  b.^rbarous  and  ignorant 
multitudes,  their  cause  manifestly  declined.  A  noA  - 
r\  attempt  w^as  made,  to  decorate  thp  Atheistic  ab- 
-iirdities  of  their  va.in  speculations  in  the  sacred  garb 


70  ECCLESIASTICAL    FTISTORY.  LECTURE  T,  . 

of  evangelical  truth;  and  by  this  method,  both  to  dete- 
riorate from  the  value  of  divine  revelation,  and  also* 
to  perplex  those,  wlio  convinced  of  the  excellencj 
©f  the  Gospel,  might  thus  be  embarrassed  respecting 
a  sincere  submission  to  its  sway.  In  the  course  of 
these  attempts,  a  renowned  and  most  indisputable  tes- 
timony to  the  veracity  of  the  sacred  volume  was  re- 
luctantly forced  irom  its  most  virulent  and  shameless 
infidel  assailant.  Porphyry  wrote  a  tedious  and 
elaborate  discussion,  containing  the  most  outrageous 
falsehoods  concerning  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  : 
notwithstanding,  he  perceived  tliat  the  prophecies  of 
the  four  grand  kingdoms  and  the  demolition  of  Jeru- 
salem, had  been  so  evidently  and  completely  fulfil- 
led, that  he  could  only  escape  from  the  diihculty,  by 
declaring  that  the  book  of.  Daniel  was  M-ritten  long 
after  the^  events  which  he  had  pretended  to  predict 
had  transpired.  But  all  these  elfbrts  were  in  vain ; 
Philosophy  and  Heresy  combined  their  energies  to 
exterminate  the  holy  records,  without  effect  ;  for 
"  the  w^ord  of  God  increased,  and  the  number  of  the 
disciples  multiplied," 

/.   The  eminent  Christians  of  the  third  Centur?/. 

To  preserve  some  memorial  of  the  noble  army  of 
Confessors  and  Martyrs  of  the  primiiive  ages  is  an 
incumbent  duty  upon  later  Christians.  Some  of  the 
worthies  were"  really  stars  of  the  first  magnitude. 
Irena3us  maintained  tiie  contest  against  the  idolaters 
and  heretics  with  equal  zeal  and  success — bu!  he 
was  eventually  doomed  to  foiloAv  his  Master  Polycarp 
to  the  alter  of  martyrdom  ;  for  during  the  persecu- 
fion  under  Sever  us,  he  was  murdered  with  almost 
every  known  Christian  in  Lyons. 

Tertullian,  Pont;enus  and  Clemens,  largely  con- 
tributed to  the  defence  and  the  instruction  of  the 
disciples,  although  their  doctrines  were  mingled 
with  some  of  the  philosophical  tenets  then  predomi- 
nant- But  the  highest  in  fame,  and  the  most  oetive 
in  labour  of  all  the  authors,  wos  Origen,  who  possess- 
ed a  superior  geniiLs,  most  fervid    piety,  invincible 


CENTUnV    III.  71 

patience  and  zeal,  and  most  extensive  erudition  ; 
Avhich  had  "he  used  under  the  influence  of  a  just  judg- 
ment, instead  of  indulging  a  boundless  imagination, 
would  have  placed  him  superior  to  the  utmost  eulo- 
gy-." Yet  his  pre-eminent  talents,  his  virtues  and  his 
labours,  must  endear  him  to  all  Christians,  as  all  his 
energies  of  soul  and  body  were  consecrated  to  the 
translation  and  dissemination  of  the  Scriptures,  and 
to  the  hallowed  service  of  the  gracious  Redeemer. 
During  the  persecution  of  Decius,  he  triumphantly 
endured  every  species  of  torture  which  diabolical 
ingenuity  could  inflict;  for  the  malice  of  his  tormen- 
tors determined  them  to  agonize  him  to  the  last  ex- 
tremity without  extinguishhig  his  mortal  existence. 
In  consequence  of  this  most  merciless  resolution,  he 
finally  recovered,  and  departed  from  this  vale  of  tear^ 
in  a  good  old  age ;  his  remains  now  awaiting  the  re- 
surrection of  the  Just.  To  these  may  be  added  Ju- 
lius, Dionysius,  Methodius,  Minucius  and  Arnobius,. 
whose  writings  in  defence  of  the  Gospel  were  of  the 
most  important  iniiuence,  and  whose  support  of  the 
truth  almost  completed  the  confutation  of  the  Gentiles 
and  their  idolatry. 

But  in  some  respects  the  most  renowned,  and  as 
a  Minister,  the  most  laborious  and  the  most  success- 
ful in  his  vocation  was  Cyprian ;  who  was  a  very  ar- 
dent disciple  of  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory,  and  v/ith 
unintermitted  activity  devoted  himself  to  the  service 
of  the  church.  The  history  of  his  life  after  he  became 
Pastor  of  Carthage  is  a  detail  of  duties  and  anxieties  -, 
voluntary  exile,  seclusion  and  banishment  all  were 
his  lot,  that  he  might  evade  the  storms  of  persecution 
that  so  grievously  raged;  but  at  length  during  the 
reign  of  Valerian,  he  was  seized  by  the  Proconsul, 
condemned  to  be  beheaded ;  and  thus  elevated  to 
the  possession  of  the  "  crown  of  glory  that  fadethnot 
away." 

//.   The  interior  state  of  the  Church. 

It  appears  probable  that  with  very  few  exceptions^ 
tfee  p©wer  of  working  miracles  had  almost  universallv 


<2  EcrLKsiAsrrjAL  historv.  LfAiout':  iv. 

ceased.  '♦  The  acr.ounts  ^vhich  exist  of  the  ticiions  oi' 
Gregory,  denomi?iatcd  llie  womlcr-vrorker,  i;ot  being 
attested  by  siifficient  evidence  render  the  narrative 
doubtftd;  but  thit  he  was  mule  an  inBtrument  of 
a;reat  power  in  the  conversion  of  souls  seems  indubi- 
table/' 

The  mpnners  and  morals  of  the  people  in  general 
had  greatly  degenerated  fro:n  their  purity  and  simi- 
litude to  the  standard  of  the  Gospel.  Philo^sop'jy 
had  pi'omulged  the  tenet,  that  in  abstract  meditation 
upon  spiritual  subjects,  consisted  the  highest  virtue; 
and  Persecution,  especially  in  Africa,  impelled  mae.y 
of  the  Christians  to  migrate  from  the  limits  of  the  Ro- 
man power,  where  their  lives  and  peace  were  never 
safe,  and  to  fly  into  the  inhospitable  deserts  in  which 
perfectly  concealed  they  mig'it  ivorship  God  unmo- 
lested. Thus  commenced  the  mo!iastic  life  :  and. 
notwithstanding  the  sacrifices  to  which  it  conduced, 
the  dangers  which  accompanied  it,  and  its  total  re- 
pugnance; to  the  activity  and  the  self-denying  offices 
of  ■••  Pure  and  undefilod  Religion ;"  it  was  so  hiorhly 
esteemed,  that  the  thoughtless  and  ignorant  co  )si- 
dered  the  seclusion  of  tiie  Hermits,  as  embodying 
the  very  quintessence  of  tlie  Gospel  of  Christ. 

The  augmenting  imperfections,  vices  and  corrup 
tions  of  the  church  were  displayed  in  the  controver- 
sies which  were  agitated,  and  in  the  defections  that 
occurred  during  the  time  of  the  persecutions.  AH 
other  evils  were  increased  by  the  adoption  of  a  new 
method  to  sanctify  every  abomination,  or  to  oppose 
all  that  was'^genuinely  good :  this  was  the  convention 
and  establishment  of  Synods  and  Councils,  Avhich 
eventually  ended  in  Popery,  and  through  Avhose  in- 
(luciice  that  system  has  been  so  long  maintained  Tinii 
perpetuated.     1. 

///.    The  Doctrines  of  the  Christian  Church, 

louring  this  century  may  be  plainly  discerned  the 
teiulency  of  the  Clnirch  towards  the  grand  apostac^ 
and  the  reign  of  Antichrist.     Both  the  faith  and  tiie 

1.  Appendi.v  VW. 


CENTURY    Hi.  73 

practice  of  the  disciples  were  debased.  The  prin- 
ciples contained  in  the  Apostles'  creed,  in  the  former 
ages  had  constituted  the  chief  if  not  the  onlj  subjects 
of  general  preaching  and  discussion.  Of  the  altera- 
tion tlien  introduced,  one  remarkable  exempliiica- 
tion  shall  be  given  to  illustrate  the  increasing  degen- 
eracy. "•  The  Lord  and  his  Apostles  had  merely  de- 
clared, that  the  souls  of  good  men  at  death  were 
received  into  lieaven,  and  that  those  of  the  wicked 
'were  banished  into  hell  ;  and  this  doctrine  convert- 
ed the  Idolaters  and  sustained  the  martyred  Disci- 
ples." But  in  this  period,  the  ascent  to  heaven  was 
confined  to  those  who  had  died  for  the  faith,  and 
the  rest  were  supposed  to  have  removed  to  a  spe- 
cies of  Purgatory  ;  although  that  absurdity  had  not 
then  obtained  its  height  of  predominance.  Thus, 
from  the  ignorance  of  many  of  the  Professors  of 
the  Truth,  the  incorporation  of  the  systems  of  phi- 
losophy with  that  of  religion,  the  mixture>.of  Pagan 
superstitions  with  the  simplicity  of  the  Gospel,  and 
the  progressive  succession  of  Heresy  in  multifa- 
rious forms,  the  temple  of  God  was  polluted  with 
the  vanities  of  men,  and  the  lustre  of  Christianity  on 
various  occasions  was  partially  obscured.  The  in- 
troduction also  of  the  Monastic  principles  of  self- 
mortification,  as  constituting  the  most  acceptable 
righteousness  before  God,  copiously  contributed 
to  the  establishment  of  many  additional  rites  and 
ceremonies,  exorcisms,  spells,  the  frequency  of  fast- 
ing, and  an  aversion  from  marriage.  From  all  these 
causes,  the  creed,  the  devotions,  tlie  dignity  of  vast 
numbers  who  were  called  Christians,  were  much  di- 
minished from  the  standard  of  excellence  which  had 
formerly  prevailed. 

IF.  The  government  of  the  Clnirch. 
The  plain  system  of  government  which  the  Apos- 
tles had  prescribed  for  the  church,  in  this  century 
lost  nearly  all  its  primitive  features.  By  the  delete- 
rious effects  of  tlie  Councils,  the  determinations  of 
ignorant  and  erring  mortals  were  transformed  int® 


/4  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  IV. 

intallible  dogmas,  aiul.the  parity  of  station  among 
tlic  Preachers  was  lost  in  distinctions  between 
Presbyters,  Bishops  and  Patriarchs,  until  at  last  the 
Pope  embodied. the  Avliole  mass  ol'  delbrmity.  One 
of  the  most  absurd  and  stupid  of  all  the  pretexts 
which  ambition  and  cupidity  devised  for  self-aggran- 
dizeHiCnt,  was  deduced  from  the  simulated  analogy 
between  the  High  Priest,  the  Priests  and  tlie  Levites 
of  the  Mosaic  economy,  and  the  Bisliop,  Presbyters 
and  Deacons  of  the  Christian  Church.  Hence  began 
all  the  corruptions  of  subsequent  ages;  and  the  sys- 
tem extended  itself,  until  even  ail  the  necessary  at- 
toidants  of  funerals  were  classed  as  Gospel  minis- 
ters  appointed  by  divine  authority.  Tlie  commence- 
ment of  the  Mass  also  is  perceptible,  in  the  additional 
ceremonies  and  the  pompous  rites  which  accompa- 
nied the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Another 
circumstance  added  to  this  change — the  meetings  of 
the  Christian  assemblies  Mdiich  had  formerly  been 
Iield  in  a  compar^stively  private  manner,  were  now 
become  more  public  in  consequence  of  fixed  and 
large  houses  ior  the  worship  of  God  being  appropri- 
ated for  that  sacred  object ;  but  these  seem  to  have 
existed  only  late  in  the  century;  for  the  first  Christ- 
ian house  of  prayer  is  generally  supposed  to  have 
been  built  at  Rome,  after  the  Decian  or  Valerian 
persecution.  Still  some  vestiges  ot  original  appoint- 
ments remained  :  the  youth  were  instructed  in  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  the  choice  of  Pastors  re- 
maiited  in  the  members  of  each  distinct  Society,  and 
the  power  of  tlie  Bishops  extended  only  to  the  regu- 
lation of  the  Churches  in  their  own  immediate  vici- 
nity. 

Two  disputes  which  agitated  the  Christians  of  tliis 
period  will  develope  the  increase  of  a  monarchical 
power  in  the  ecclesiastical  government  and  a  mu- 
tation of  sentiment  respecting  one  of  the  ordinances. 

The  I'iishop  of  Rome  arrogated  the  jurisdiction  to 
direct  all  things  coimected  with  the  Church,  for  the 
snl-niiftsion  of  thosc,  wliom  he  declared  to  be  his 


CENTURY    III.  7;j 

inferiors.  This  claim  was  most  inveterately  opposed 
by  Cjpriaii,  who  at  the  same  time  defended  the  dig- 
nity and  authority  of  Bishops.  A  dispute  arose  con- 
cerning the  baptism  of  Ileretics,  and  the  Asiatic 
Christians  determined  that  ali  Heretics  should  be 
re-baptized  prior  to  their  reception  into  the  Church; 
Stephen,  Bishop  of  Rome,  immediately  promulged, 
that  all  who  held  this  opinion  should  be  excluded 
from  communion  with  the  Church  of  Rome.  Against 
this  anathema,  Cyprian  and  the  Africans  forcibly  re- 
plied, and  denounced  baptism  by  Heretics  as  void 
and  invalid  :  nevertheless  this  vague  dispute  was 
only  ended  by  the  death  of  the  Roman,  and  the  mar- 
tyrdom of  Cyprian. 

A  query  was  submitted  to  Cyprian,  wliether  chil- 
dren ought  to  be  baptized  on  the  eighth  day  after 
their  birth  .'^  and  a  council  of  sixty  six  preachers  was 
assembled  to  decide  the  doubt.  That  the  children  of 
Believers  should  be  baplized^ivas  admitted  by  all  the  contro- 
vertists,  as  a  Christian  ordinance  and  practice  derived  from 
the  Apostles^  of  ivhich  no  one  pretended  even  to  hesitate;  but 
the  question  was  finally  dismissed  respecting  the  pre- 
cise time  of  baptism,  as  involving  points  which  no 
rules  could  peremptorily  determine ;  but  they  all  de- 
cided that  injanis  should  be  baptized  immediately. 
V.  The  Heresies. 
Three  errors  of  a  very  oiiensive  tendency  were 
promulgated  during  this  period,  ali  producing  the 
same  effect,  the  progress  of  the  grand  Apostacy,  and 
the  final  exaltation  of  him.  '•  who  exalteth  himself 
above  all  that  is  called  Cod." 

The  Manicheans  derived  their  designation  from 
Manes,  a  Persian  Philosopher,  who  combined  the 
tenets  of  the  Gnostics  respecting  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  he  was  only  the  form  of  a  man,  with 
the  principle  of  purification  by  fire  after  death,  and 
the  punishment  of  transmigration  into  the  bodies  of 
animals  or  the  torments  of  malignant  spirits.  But  as  it 
was  impossible  to  reconcile  these  monstrous  absurdi- 
ties with  the  sacred  Oracles :  he  rejected  nil  the  Old 


76  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  IT. 

and  the  major  part  of  the  New  Testament,  and  par- 
ticularly denied  the  four  Gospels  and  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles.  A  great  variety  of  delusive  opinions  deri- 
ved from  this  general  source  Avas  propagated  by  dif- 
ferent persons,  among  whom  the  Hierachites  were 
the  most  distinguished  ;  lor  they  maintained  the 
abhorrent  position,  that«//  children  who  died  in  their  in- 
fcincy  were  excluded  from  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  These 
extravagancies  have  passed  away ;  and  are  so  pre- 
posterous, that  iaw  men  now  have  the  hardihood  to 
promulge  them. 

Two  opinions  prevailed  under  the  general  appel- 
lation of  Sabellianism.  Noetus  and  his  disciples  pro- 
fessed that  God  the  Father,  indivisible,  was  united  to 
the  man  Christ,  born  and  crucified  with  him;  hence 
they  were  described  as  persons  who  declared,  that 
the  Divine  Creator  of  the  Universe  alone  expiated 
by  death,  the  sins  of  the  world.  But  Sabellius  and 
liis  adherents  averred,  that  a  certain  energy  only 
from  the  Supreme,  or  a  portion  of  the  Divine  nature 
Avas  united  to  the  man  Jesus,  and  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
was  also  only  an  emanation  from  the  Everlasting  Fa- 
ther. These  Sectaries  were  called  Patri-Passians  ; 
they  who  believed  that  God  the  Father  died.  Va- 
rious modifications  of  these  general  propositions  were 
sustained ;  but  all  of  them  denied  either  the  humanity 
or  the  divinity  of  tlie  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Paul,  the 
leader  of  one  sect,  alFirmed  that  the  Son  and  Holy 
Ghost  exist  in  God,  as  reason  and  activity  abide  in 
man  ;  and  that  Christ  was  born  a  mere  man,  but  that 
the  wisdom  of  the  Father  descending  upon  liin\,  he 
wrought  miracles,  and  therefore  was  justly  called 
God.  The  Heresies  of  modern  ages  therefore  are 
1600  years  old,  and  only  a  little  modified  to  conceal 
their  deformity. 

From  the  history  of  the  Church,  as  well  as  from 
the  Gospels,  we  deduce,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  was  al- 
ways honoured  as  possessed  of  divine  perfections, 
combined  with  human  characteristics,  Immanuel, 
God  with  U5  ;  and  this  was  the  unvarying  belief  of 


CENTURY    III.  77 

all  the  C'liiistian  disciples  during  the  first  three  cen- 
turies ;  to  verify  which  fact,  it  is  indubitable,  that 
those  who  denied  this  fundamental  doctrine  were 
not  admitted  to  the  communion  of  saints. 

The  pestilential  influence  of  these  unholy  princi- 
ples was  increased  by  a  bitter  and  wide  spread  con- 
troversy, which  arose  respecting  the  restoration  of 
those  into  the  church,  who,  during  the  persecution 
under  Decius,  from  fear  of  death  had  denied  the  Lord 
that  bought  them.  In  this  most  direful  period,  many 
of  the  Christians  abjured  their  profession ;  after  the 
storm,  by  the  .relentless  Tyrant's  death,  had  ceased, 
the  backsliding  but  penitent  sheep  prayed  again  to 
be  received  into  the  fold  of  the  Redeemer.  Novatian 
most  furiously  opposed  their  re-admission ;  and  al- 
though he  coincided  in  every  other  point  with  all  the 
churches,  yet  the  controversy  raged  so  warmly,  and 
so  extensively,  that  he  at  last,  with  many  others,  se- 
ceded from  the  fellowship  of  those  who  united  with 
the  lapsed,  and  formed  distinct  Societies.  This  pro- 
duced a  lamentable  division,  until  the  tenth  perse- 
cution melted  all  the  disciples  into  one  mass,  and  had 
not  the  Lord  interposed,  would  have  consumed  them 
all  in  the  same  general  tremendous  conflagration. 

At  this  period  the  fifth  seal,  as  recorded  in  the  sixth 
chapter  of  the  Revelation,  from  the  ninth  to  the  elev- 
enth verses,  having  been  opened,  unfolds  its  woful 
mystic  scenery  ;  and  introduces  the  prominent  char- 
acteristics of  those  heart-rending  suflferings  which 
the  peaceful  flock  of  the  Lamb  of  God  were  doomed 
to  endure. 

VI.   The  Persecutions. 

Those  of  the  prior  era  have  already  been  revicAv- 
ed  ;  but  incredible  as  the  fact  may  appear,  all  the 
ingenuity  in  devising  torment,  and  all  the  malignity 
in  inflicting  pain  which  hitherto  had  been  exhibited, 
were  merely  the  sport  of  children,  contrasted  with 
the  inconceivable  miseries  with  which  the  Lord  per- 
mitted his  saints  to  be  afflicted,  until  the  contest  be- 
tween the  glorious  Son  of  God  and  the  powers  of 


78  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  H . 

darkness  closed  in  the  utter  extinction  of  tlie  Bac- 
chanalian Mythology. 

The  partial  calm  which  had  subsisted  diirino;  the 
early  part  of  the  reign  of  Severus,  who  filled  the 
imperial  throne  at  the  commencement  of  this  century, 
soon  disappeared;  for  he  promulgated  a  decree,  that 
no  person  should  exchange  tlie  religion  of  his  Ances- 
tors for  that  of  Christianity,  This  iniquitous  requi- 
sition furnished  an  excuse  for  plundering  the  Chris^ 
tians  of  their  property,  and  for  murdering  them  as 
having  departed  from  Paganism.  From  the  annals 
of  this  tempest,  the  following  brief  narrative  is  se- 
lected, as  a  specimen  of  the  desolation  which  ravaged 
particularly  in  Asia  and  Africa. 

Perpetua,  a  young  married  Avoman  of  high  rank, 
with  two  men  of  superior  order,  and  a  male  and  fe- 
male slave,  the  latter  named  Felicitas,  were  seized  ; 
and  all  intreaty  and  remonstrance,  and  multiiorm 
hardships  in  prison,  with  every  menace  at  the  bar  of 
judgment,  having  in  vain  been  employed  to  induce 
them  toTccant;  Hilarian,  the  Judge,  commanded  that 
they  should  be  cast  to  the  wild  beasts  at  the  next 
public  shews.  During  their  confinement,  the  Jailor 
was  converted  to  the  faith,  and  on  the  day  prior  to 
the  public  exhibition,  vast  crowds,  not  only  of  the 
Christians  from  love,  but  of  the  Pagans  from  curiosi- 
ty, visited  them.  To  the  latter,  Salur,  one  of  the 
men,  when  they  were  closely  inspected  by  the  Idola- 
ters, loudly  and  with  great  animation  appealed,  '•^Ob- 
serve well  our  faccs^  that  you  may  knoiv  ihem  at  the  day  of 
Judgment.''''  One  of  the  men  expired  in  his  dungeon 
in  peace.  The  other  four  were  conducted  into  the 
sanguinary  Despot's  presence  ;  "  Thou  judgest  us^^"* 
said  the  Martyrs,  "  God  shall  judge  thee.'''  They  were 
immediately  scourged  in  the  most  barbarous  manner; 
and  having  with  great  christian  magnanimity,  expe- 
rienced very  shameless  abuse  and  every  indecent  de- 
gradation from  the  ruffian  multitude,  and  torturing 
lacerations  from  the  hungry  brutes,  they  fell  asleep 
in  Jesus. 


centory  III.  79 

tyrants,  however,  with  all  their  power,  must  die  ; 
and  the  Lord  having  permitted  thisSeverus  to  devour 
the  church  during  nearly  ten  years,  summoned  him 
to  that  dread  tribunal,  where  even  Imperial  earthly 
edicts  are  scrutinized  and  remunerated  in  the  utmost 
exactitude  of  personal  retribution. 

From  this  period  during  thirty  eight  years,  the 
church  enjoyed  comparative  peace,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  short  and  turbulent  reign  of  Maximin.  He 
vented  his  rage  against  Christianity,  by  an  edict  in 
which  he  commanded,  that  all  the  Pastors  of  the 
church  should  instantaneously  and  in  the  most  bar- 
barous manner  be  murdered ;  thinking,  without  doubt, 
that  by  the  destruction  of  the  Teachers,  the  Congre- 
gations must  follow.  The  doleful  eflects  of  his  cruel 
mandates  were  realized  by  Christians  of  every  rank 
and  description.  He  reigned  three  years  only,  and 
consequently  lived  not  to  complete  his  design  ;  for 
his  blood-thirsty  temper,  with  equal  gratulation  and 
delight,  would  have  exterminated  the  human  race,  as 
the  noblest  portion  of  his  subjects. 

The  declaration  of  the  Redeemer,  "  in  the  world 
ye  shall  have  tribulation,"  and  the  doctrine  of  Paul, 
"  the  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution," 
were  still  to  be  verified.  About  the  middle  of  this 
century,  Decius,  having  murdered  Philip  the  Empe- 
ror, Avho,  if  not  himself  a  Christian,  was  a  most  ardent 
Friend  to  the  Disciples,  was  permitted  by  God  to 
kindle  a  new  fire.  Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  this 
extremely  horrific  desolation,  when  it  is  remem- 
bered, that  the  provincial  governors  and  praetors 
throughout  the  empire,  were  peremptorily  directed 
under  the  penalty  of  immediate  death,  to  exterminate 
the  whole  body  of  Christians  without  delay,  and 
without  exception,  either  of  rank,  station,  sex  or  age  ; 
or  to  coerce  them  by  every  possible  species  of  tor- 
ture, to  join  in  the  idolatrous  orgies,  and  publickly 
avow  themselves  to  be  Pagans.  The  peculiar  refine- 
ment and  barbarity  of  the  torments  thus  universally 
propelled  into  operation,  were  inexpressibly  more, 


*d  ECCLESIASTICAL  MISTORT.  tfcCT«RE  tf. 

dreadful  and  appalling  than  sudden  martyrdom  j 
hence  vast  numbers,  terrified  at  the  slow-paced  hor- 
rors which  were  prepared  for  them,  abjured  their 
divine  Master's  cause  and  profession,  while  innume- 
rable multitudes,  throughout  all  the  provinces  of  the 
empire  were  transferred  by  the  chariot  of  fire,  to  an 
immortal  crown  of  glory.  The  brutal  indignities  es- 
pecially to  which  the  Christian  virgins  were  forced  to 
submit,  left  them  no  alternative,  but  to  deny  their 
Lord  with  every  species  of  blasphemous  lascivions- 
ness,  or  to  forget  themselves,  as  one  of  them  trium- 
phantly uttered  when  the  infernally  infuriated  Barba- 
rians were  most  vilely  abusing  her  mortal  frame — 
**  You  may  put  my  body  to  shame^^''  said  the  saint,  "6?// 
-you  cannot  defile  my  souV  Yet  these  are  the  most  no- 
ble Greeks  and  Romans,  who  are  ever  propounded  as 
the  august  exemplars  of  wisdom  and  virtue  to  our 
youth,  and  who,  they  are  instructed  to  believe,  em- 
bodied all  that  is  dignifying  in  human  nature.  In 
short,  had  not  the  Lord,  after  the  persecution  had 
ravaged  during  two  years,  sent  the  invincible  mes- 
senger Death,  to  remove  the  author  of  this  pestilence, 
the  public  profession,  if  not  the  private  knowledge 
©f  Christianity,  according  to  all  human  calculation, 
must  have  been  extinguished.  At  this  period,  began 
the  devastations  of  that  alarming  plague,  which  dis- 
seminated agony  and.  dissolution,  in  every  district 
where  it  was  permitted  to  enter. 

Very  speedily  after  the  succession  of  Gallus  to  the 
throne,  the  storm,  which  on  account  of  the  death 
of  Decius,  had  in  some  measure  ceased,  was  re-an- 
imated with  equal  fury.  But  the  Lord  who  by  the 
former  whirlwind  had  purified  the  Church,  did  not 
design  that  its  enemies  should  triumph  in  her  total 
destruction.  An  interval  of  peace  succeeded  until 
the  year  2.57,  when  Valerian,  having  changed  his 
kindness  towards  the  Christians,  first  prohibited  the 
assemblies  of  the  disciples  for  public  worsliip;  all 
the  Preachers  of  the  church  Avcre  next  doomed  to 
exile  ;  and  during  the  following  year,  every  Christian 


I  CENTURY    III.  81 

was  comniaiuled  to  worsliip  the  idols  upon  pain  of 
instant  death.  Among  tiie  noble  army  of  Martyrs 
'.vlio  were  removed  to  cry  under  tiie  altar,  were  (Jy- 
prian,  Sixtus  and  Lanrentius  ;  the  latter  of  wliom  is 
renowned  for  having  been  broiled  on  a  grid-iron,  VV  hen 
he  had  continued  a  considerable  time  lying  on  one 
side  over  a  slow  fire,  the  patient  saint  addressed  the 
Prefect  who  was  present,  '•'-Utinc  be  turned^  I  am  broil- 
ed enough  on  one  side^  ^V  hen  they  had  turned  him, 
he  added,  "  //  is  enouf^h,  now  ye  raay  eat  /"  Then  pray- 
ing for  his  enemies,  he  departed  to  Paradise, 

From  the  records  of  this  persecution,  it  appears, 
that  the  murderers  learnt  hy  experience  and  practice, 
new  modes  of  torture,  and  more  exquisite  methods  of 
prolonging  life  in  every  species  of  possible  excrucia- 
tion ;  so  that  it  is  not  surprising,  that  those  only  whose 
fiith  was  of  the  most  ardent  and  seraphic  nature, 
could  triumphantly  conquer  the  extremity  of  anguish 
which  in  every  place  and  condition,  and  at  all  times 
encircled  them. 

This  Emperor  Valerian  however,  affords  a  remark- 
able evidence  of  the  equality  of  Providential  distri- 
butions. In  a  war  with  Persia,  he  was  taken  prison- 
er by  Sapor,  the  Persian  King,  who  would  not  release 
him  ;  but  constantly  used  his  neck  for  a  stirrup  when 
lie  mour.ted  his  horse,  and  finally  flayed  and  salted 
liim.  Whether  his  immediate  successors  w^ere  im- 
pressed by  this  example  is  uncertain,  but  the  fury  of 
persecution  ceased,  and  during  the  succeeding  fifteen 
years,  the  condition  of  the  disciples,  if  not  altogether 
peaceful,  was  through  faith  and  hope  tolerable. 

The  calm,  hov.cver,  was  disturbed  by  Aureiian, 
the  Emperor,  in  275.  who,  like  Ilaman  the  Agagite, 
had  resolved  by  one  overwhelming  stroke  to  demol- 
ish the  Church  : — a  Tcllow-murderer  effectually  as- 
sailed him,  and  he  was  transferred  from  the  Imperi- 
el  palace  of  Rome,  to  the  house  appointed  for  all 
living,  prior  to  the  actiial  execution  of  his  ov/n  ungod- 
ly mandates. 

•Jerethe  persecutions  of  the  third  century  close; 


82  EC  C  L  E  S !  A  S  T !  C  .\  L  Fi  I S  1'  O  K  Y . 


LiiC-il.RC    IV. 


but  lo  corapletc  the  subject;  it  is  proper  to  roiuark. 
that  the  vision  oi  John  ah'catly  introduced.  Avilliout 
doubt  relates  to' the  last  coir.bustioii.  emphaticalU 
denominated  "  the  era  oiMartyrs/- 

From  tliis  vi^^ion  m?.y  be  deduced  a  \  cry  impor- 
tant doctrine.  The  departed  Riartyrs  are  represen- 
ted prostrate  under  the  Altar;  as  sacrilices  siaiii  to 
the  Lord,  cryini^;  aloud,  that  Jehovah  would  avenge 
their  cause.  They  arc  dressed  in  white  robes  to 
shew  their  justification  before  God;  but  they  are  ex- 
horted to  rest  for  a  season,  until  the  number  of  Mar- 
tyrs shall  have  been  completed,  when  they  shall  re- 
ceive their  plenary  reu  ard.  Tiiis  depicts  the  souls- 
of  the  disembodied  saints  in  an  ever  secure  region, 
possessed  of  conscious  energy,  in  devotion  and  en- 
joy me- it.  The  Historians  oi  that  period,  who  sur- 
vived tlie  persecution  of  Dioclesian,  all  affirm,  thai 
the  final  liery  storm  was  of  longer  continuance,  wider 
extension,  more  atrocious  barbarity,  and  as  having 
effused  more  christian  blood  tlian  all  the  former  per- 
secutions combined.  It  began  in  303. — An  order 
Avas  issued  by  the  Emperor,  to  demolish  all  houses 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  Jesus,  to  consume  all 
Christian  books  and  writings  in  the  flames,  to  debar 
the  followers  of  the  Lamb,  from  every  civil  right 
and  privilege,  and  to  impede  them  from  any  otlicc 
of  trust,  honour  or  emolumenL  A  second  edict 
soon  followed,  by  whicli  all  the  Ministers  and  Dea- 
cons were  sentenced  to  be  instantaneously  cast  into 
prison.  A  third  decree  was  speedily  promulged, 
that  every  torment  which  could  possibly  be  devised, 
sliould  be  adopted,  to  impel  the  Preachers  to  desert 
the  cross,  and  unite  in  tlie  bla'^phemies  of  Imperial 
idolatry. 

An  immense  lunnber  of  persons  was  sacrificed 
tln-ough  this  stratagem.  Decency  precludes  the  re- 
c:ital  oftlieir  tortures,  vast  multitudes  of  them  died 
IT)  their  sullerings,  and  thor.e  whom  they  could  not 
thus  destroy,  were  sent  to  the  mines,  there  to  drag 
iVJi:t  the  remains  of  a  wretclied  lifii.  in  vassalaj'e,  la- 


CENTURY    III.  O.* 

bour,  and  angiiisli.  After  a  short  iiiterviil,  the  fourth 
law  was  enacted,  and  by  it  ail  Christians,  withoui 
regard  to  age,  rasik,  sex  or  condition,  were  doomed 
losufTer  every  kind  of  shame  and  misery  inihcted 
upon  their  bodies ;  and  if  they  would  not  finally  apos- 
tatize, then  the  Magistrates  v.crc  enjoined  to  sen- 
tence them  to  death.  Orosius  assures  us,  that  dur- 
ing ten  years,  the  Roman  empire  exhibited  nothing 
but  one  \iniversal  scene  of  devastation,  slaughter  and 
human  victims  in  perennial  conilagration.  The  fires 
of  the  Houses  of  Prayer,  the  proscription  of  the  in- 
nocent sheep,  the  destruction  and  confiscation  of  the 
property  of  the  Christians,  and  the  ceaseless  butcii- 
ering  of  the  Believers,  altogether  depopulated  the 
people  of  God,  stained  every  district  of  the  whole 
empire  with  the  Blood  of  the  church,  and  the  public 
strength  and  numbers  and  wealth,  by  these  terrific 
means  were  more  completely  exhausted  than  had 
ever  been  effected  by  the  most  extensive,  lasting 
and  desolating  wars.  So  completely  at  last  had  tlie 
persecutors  triumphed,  that  pillars  were  erected,  de- 
claring that  the  superstitions  of  Christianity  were  to- 
tally abolished,  and  the  v/orship  of  the  Gods  entirely 
and  eternally  restored.  But  the  judgment  of  God 
awaited  Galerius,  the  grand  instrument  of  these  in- 
fernal outrages;  the  latter  part  of  his  life  v»'as  tortur- 
ed with  a  disorder  of  the  body,  which  literally  in 
th€  utmost  agony  and  amid  complicated  horrors  inefih- 
ble. gradually  corrupted  him,  untilhis  corporeal  frame 
in  rottcness  was  finally  separated  from  his  soul;  but 
not  until  by  an  Imperial  edict,  he  had  ordered  tiie 
persecution  to  cease.  Freedom  and  repojie  were 
thus  restored  to  the  remnant  of  the  scattered  and 
concealed  followers  of  the  Lamb.  Here  we  must 
pause  for  tiie  opening  of  the  sixth  seal ;  which  crum- 
bled idolatry  into  atoms,  and  exhibited  the  cross  of 
Christ  triumphant  over  all  liis  enemies. 

The  subjects  which  have  now  passed  in  review 
instruct  us — Hovv'.vain  are  all  the  efforts  of  ungodly 
men  to  extirpate  th':'  Gosn^^I  of  Christ,  and  the  churcli 
©fGod' 


84  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORV.  LECTURE  IV. 

Here  learning  most  extensive,  tortures  unceasing-, 
allurements  most  seductive,  power  uncontrolled,  and 
general  malignity  unrestrained,  congregate  their  en- 
ergies in  vain  against  the  defenceless  and  unoppos- 
ing  Sons  ol" Peace.  Though  like  Shadrach,  Meshach 
and  Abednego,  they  were  cast  into  a  boundless 
"  buraing  iiery  furnace,''  the  Son  of  God  })reserved 
them  victorious  amid  the  ilaraes ;  and  thoiigli  like 
Daniel  they  were  immured  in  the  den  of  Lions,"" 
through  the  presence  and  ahnighty  power  of  their 
Saviour,  they  "•  were  more  than  conquerors  through 
him  who  hath  loved  us:"  and  our  ensuing  exhilarat- 
ing employ  is  to  review  the  annals,  and  to  listen  t« 
the  enraptured  shouts  of  their  triumph. 


The  Apocahjptic  sixth  seal — the  triumph  of  Chris tiani is/ — 
the  doctrine — the  government — the  Ministers — the  ccrc- 
-and  the  heresies  of  the  Church  during  the  four  tic 


monies- 
Centurif. 


The  scenes  exhibited  in  the  prophetic  dehneation, 
from  the  twelfth  verse  of  the  sixth  chapter  of  the  A- 
pocalypse  to  the  end  of  the  seventh  chapter,  consti- 
tute one  of  the  most  remarkable  revolutions  recorded 
in  the  annals  of  empires.  We  have  already  sympa- 
thized with  the  suffering  Martyrs;  we  have  retraced 
the  ceaseless  malignity,  and  the  combined  energies 
of  the  Roman  potentates,  always  excited  to  extermi- 
nate the  name  and  the  disciples  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
during  nearly  300  years ;  and  w^e  have  heard  the 
Bachanals  shout  that  Christianity  was  extirpated,  and 
Idolatry  for  ever  established.  But  the  star,  however 
beclouded  and  feeble  its  glimmerings,  was  still  visi- 
ble above  the  horrizon  in  the  \Vest ;  and  it  is  a  w^on- 
derful  coincidence  of  facts,  that  from  England  should 
have  arisen  the  destroyer  of  Pagan  abominations,  and 
the  most  powerful  enemy  to  Antichristian  supersti- 
tions. 

It  would  be  a  departure  from  our  professed  object 
to  introduce  the  history  of  the  demolition  which  the 
Heathen  authorities  realized  at  this  period ;  but  it 
is  necessary  to  record,  that  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Constantine,  the  whole  imperial  system  of 
Rome  was  utterly  subverted.  The  sixth  seal  has  oft- 
en been  applied  to  the  opening  of  that  wonderous 
day  of  eternity  which  shall  ii^^ver  know  an  evening — 
but  it  was  no  doubt  intended  primarily  to  predict 
that  astonishing  succession  of  events  and  victories,  by 
which  all  the  Imperial  persecutors  v/ho  had  partici- 


8G  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTLili:    V. 

pated  in  the  liorrors  of  the  era  of  Martjrs,  Averc  in 
succession,  and  finally  subjugated  ;  and  by  ^vhich  a 
professed  Christian  became  solo  and  undisputed 
Master  of  the  Roman  territories.  Without  attempt- 
ing to  investigate  the  controversies  connected  Avith 
this  subject,  it  will  sullice  briefly  to  narrate  the  facts. 

Constantius  had  uniformly  displayed  aflection  for 
the  Christians,  so  that  in  his  portion  of  the  Empire, 
the  rage  of  persecution  was  little  known.  Constaii- 
tine  his  son,  denominated  the  Great,  having  imbibed 
his  father's  predilictions,  became  the  object  of  aver- 
.«ion  to  all  the  other  Princes.  Providentially  preserv- 
ed from  murder,  he  escaped  from  Galerius,  tlie 
chief  Persecutor  v/ho  had  designed  his  death,  to  his 
fathers  dominions  ;  and  speedily  after  he  was  chosen 
and  proclaimed  Emperor.  A  combination  was  im- 
mediately formed,  to  divest  him  of  his  authority  and 
life.  Convinced  that  a  contest  of  indefinite  magni- 
tude and  duration  was  unavoidable  ;  and  that  the 
conflict  involved  not  only  his  family  interests,  the 
enjoyment  of  his  friends,  but  also  the  prosperity  of 
the  empire,  and  the  apparent  existence  of  that  reli- 
on.  the  disciples  of  which  were  his  only  confideniial 
and  faithful  adherents — on  his  march  from  Gaul  to 
Italy,  if  Eusebius  has  correctly  informed  us,  his  mind 
was  most  grievously  agitated  with  a  view  of  the  dan- 
gers, importance  and  results  of  that  measure,  which 
had  compelled  him  to  resort  to  arms  in  defence  of 
his  ow^n  dominions  and  people,  by  whom  he  was  es- 
teemed to  the  highest  degree  of  devoted  enthusiasm. 

Of  the  aflection  which  the  Britons.  Gauls  and  Span- 
iards bore  to  Constantius  and  his  descendants,  the 
following  fact  affords  a  beautiful  illustration.  All  the 
exterior  pomp  and  magnificence  of  Eastern  royalty, 
were  totally  excluded  from  this  Prince's  humble 
mansion;  hence  on  some  occasion  when  Diocletian's 
am])assadors  visited  him,  they  were  astonished  that 
no  goblets  of  gold  and  services  of  silver  were  found 
on  liis  table.  Diocletian  reproved  him  very  sharply, 
for  not  taxing  the  people  more,  for  his  own  splendour. 


CENTURY    IV.  87 

inii  lor  the  Imperial  revenue.  Conslantius  assured 
him,  that  although  vast  masses  of  the  precious  me- 
tals were  not  locked  up  in  his  palaces,  yet  that  upon 
any  emergency  he  could  display  more  wealth  tljan 
all  the  other  Emperors  combined.  Diocletian  ap- 
pointed persons  to  go  to  Constantine's  residence,  at 
that  time  in  France,  and  examine  into  the  truth  of 
his  declaration.  In  the  intermediate  time,  the  belov- 
ed Emperor  had  sent  to  all  the  iniiucntial  persons  of 
every  rank,  a  general  notice,  that  the  public  safety 
n]id  necessities  required  them  to  deposit  at  his  com- 
iVKiiid  and  service,  whatever  of  the  precious  metals 
iixy  could  spare  for  the  present  exigencj.  On  the 
day  of  exhibition,  the  Envoys  expressed  their  utmost 
astonishment  at  the  immense  quantities  of  gold  and 
silver,  bulHon,  coin  and  plate  which  had  been  sent 
to  him;  and  the  view  of  this  plate  probably  hindered 
the  other  persecutors  from  attacking  him  in  his  owa 
territories.  Immediately  after  this  scrutiny,  every 
man's  deposit  was  faithfully  restored  to  him ;  Con- 
stantius  preferring  the  security  of  their  affections,  to 
any  other  treasury. 

On  another  occasion  Constantiua  was  directed 
by  all  the  other  Emperors,  during  the  fury  of  the 
persecution,  to  banish  from  bis  service  every  Chris- 
tian. He  transformed  the  order  into  a  contrivance 
To  ascertain  his  real  friends ;  having  published  the 
decree,  that  every  person  must  become  an  Idolater 
or  be  dismissed  from  his  oifice,  he  vvas  rejoiced  to 
discover  that  all  his  most  attached,  most  useful,  most 
ihitiiiul,  and  njost  respected  friends  and  Ollicers, 
deliberately  chose  disgrace,  poverty  and  death,  rath- 
er than  a  violation  of  their  consciences,  and  a  sacri- 
fice of  the  fear  of  Gods.  The  A])ostates  were  imme- 
diately discarded,  and  to  the  inflexible  Christians 
was  committed  the  superintendance  of  all  the  affairs 
of  his  dominions. 

That  parties  thus  mutually  and  reciprocally  united 
in  interest,  in  principle  and  in  heart,  should  be  deep- 
ly impressed  with  go  unequal  a  contest;  Constantine 


So  ECCLESIASTK  AL  HISTORV.  I,KCTLRE\. 

and  his  minor  forces  contcndinp^  ofi;aiits(  (lie  nrrayed 
strength  of  tliree  fourths  of  the  Empire,  supported  hy 
all  the  dignity  of  majesty,  tJie  coniidence  of  victo- 
rious militaiy  genius,  and  the  malignnnt  opposition 
of  BachanaHan  idolatry,  is  not  surprising;  and  that 
their  chieftain  should  be  intensely  agonized,  is  natu- 
ral and  just.  In  this  distressing  perplexity,  when 
approaching  Italy,  where  the  actual  warfare  was  ex- 
pected to  commence ;  at  noon,  or  as  some  authors 
say  at  sunset,  appeared  in  the  heavens,  the  figure 
of  a  cross,  such  as  that  on  which  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
was  cruciiied,  splendid  and  luminous  as  the  sun — 
and  over  it  in  plain  letters  in  the  Latin  language, 
the  words,  "  By  this,  thou  shalt  overcome."  While 
he  was  overwhelmed  with  anxiety  to  ascertain  the 
object  of  this  astonishing  celestial  appearance,  in  a 
dream  the  same  night,  he  saw  the  Lord  of  Life  and 
glory,  who  commanded  him  to  erase  from  the  stand- 
ards of  his  army,  the  usual  idolatrous  ensign,  and  to 
inscribe  the  figure  of  the  cross  which  he  had  seen ; 
assuring  him,  that  if  he  sought  the  I^ord  in  prayer, 
and  trusted  in  him,  he  should  prosper  in  all  his  en- 
terprises, and  confound  all  his  enemies.  The  figures 
of  Idolatry  were  at  once  removed,  the  cross  was  in- 
serted, and  Constantine  in  the  progress  ofa  few  years 
completely  fulfilled  all  that  the  sixth  seal  developed; 
for '- the  kings  of  the  earth,  the  great  men  and  the 
mighty  men,  hid  themselves  in  the  dens  and  in  the 
rocks  of  the  mountains;"  and  thanks  be  to  God,  there 
they  remain  yet  entombed  ! !  Several  years  were 
occupied  in  the  consummation  of  his  designs  :  but  in 
the  year  3:M  all  opposition  having  been  extermina- 
ted, Constanline  issued  those  edicts  by  whicli  Idolatry 
was  trampled  under  foot, and  Christianity  proclaimed 
the  religion  of  the  empire. 

The  seventh  chapter  of  the  Revelations  has  been 
applied  by  all  Scripture  expositors,  to  the  period 
immediately  subsequent  to  (lie  elevation  of  Constan- 
tine to  the  undivided  government  of  the  Uornnn  em- 
pire ;  and  although  the  Commentator*  are  partially 


©Er^tURY    IV.  89 

divided  in  opinion  respecting  the  interval  betwixt  the 
restraint  upon  the  winds,  and  the  close  of  the  half 
hour's  silence  in  heaven;  everything  to  be  ascertain- 
ed from  the  ancient  records  assures  us,  that  it  was 
not  until  aiter  the  death  of  Theodosius  the  great,  in 
the  year  395,  that  those  tremendous  desolations  com- 
menced, whicli  ended  in  the  division  of  Europe  into 
the  ten  horns  ofthe  Beast  depicted  in  the  Apocalypse, 
Our  present  review  will  consequently  include  the 
history  of  these  seventy  years  ;  and  will  prove  that 
no  history  could  liave  been  more  figuratively  accu- 
rate, than  the  mysteries  which  the  Prince  of  the 
Kings  of  the  Earth,  unfolded  to  the  Apostle  John, 
when  in  Patiiios,  he  "  was  in  the  spirit  on  tiie  Lord's 
day." 

Before  we  enter  upon  the  review  of  the  internal 
state  ol  the  Church,  it  may  be  remarked,  that  two 
events  of  an  uniavourable  nature  to  the  truth  occurred. 
The  accession  ofJvlian  to  the  throne ;  who  having  apos- 
tatized from  the  Christian  faith,  became  a  most  artful 
malignant,  deceitful,  and  bitter  adversary  to  the 
Christians;  and  had  determined,  that  if  he  returned 
successful  from  his  war  with  Persia,  to  extirpate  the 
terrestial  kingdom  of  Jesus.  His  reign  was  not  of 
two  years  continuance ;  but  during  that  period  he 
resolved  to  try  the  validity  of  our  Lord's  pre- 
dictions upon  one  of  the  most  essential  topics  of  our 
historical  faith.  The  Amen,  the  faithful  and  true 
Witness  had  declared,  that  the  temple  of  Jerusalem 
should  be  utterly  demolished,  and  that  trodden  down 
ofthe  Gentiles,  it  should  remain  in  desolation  and 
ruins,  until  "the  times  ofthe  Gentiles  shall  be  fulfil- 
led." Julian  felt  the  energy  of  this  monumental  visi- 
ble argument  in  favour  of  Christianity;  and  wished 
to  evince  that  it  included  no  veracity,  by  a  combina- 
tion of  the  whole  Roman  power.  Edicts  were  pro- 
mulged  to  rebuild  the  temple  of  Solomon  in  its  pris- 
tine mag[iificence ;  and  the  Jews  were  commanded, 
there  to  re-assemble  and  restore  their  Mosaic  ritual 
iii  all  its  poinp  aitd  ceremonies.  In  addition  to  the 
M 


'•^^  e:.cli:sia« ncAL  iiistouv. 


LECTURE    V 


mvi-iads  of  Jews  who  hastened  in  their  infiituation, 
to  comply  with  a:i  hlolalrous  Magician's  impious 
:iik1  impotent  attempt  to  disprove  the  verity  of  God's 
declaratio!is  ;  n  hirge  miliiary  force  was  also  appoint- 
ed to  superintend  niid  aid  the  completion  of  the  re- 
bellious design.  But  every  effort  was  in  vain;  as- 
soon  as  the  workmen  began  to  remove  the  stones 
find  earth,  which  in  scattered  masses  had  escaped 
ihe  final  conllagration  under  Titus,  tremendous 
balls  of  fire,  most  app'dliiig  and  hideous  noises,  con- 
tinual concussions  of  the  earth,  not  only  filled  the 
idolaters  and  Jews  with  the  utmost  terror  and  dismay, 
but  at  last  rendered  Mount  Moriah  absolutely  inac- 
cessible; so  that  nirthe  menaces  and  promised  emo- 
lnme!its  which  Julian  nddrc5sed  to  them,  were  equal- 
ly in  vain.  Fourteen  hundred  and  sixty  years  have 
r^'uw.e  elapsed,  veriiying  to  the  highest  degree  of  hu- 
man cred^.bility  and  confidence,  tlie  certainty  of 
Ciirist's  raomcnto,  "  Heaven  and  Earth  shall  pass 
awoy,  but  my  word?  shall  not  pass  aw^ny." 

Th?  d.^ath  of  th3  zVpostato  was  similar  to  his  life  : 
mortnlly  wounded  by  a  lance,  he  filled  his  hand 
v.ith  bloo'J,  and  hurled  it  towards  heaven,  exclaiming, 
'•()  Galilean,  thou  hast  conquered." — Thus  ending  a 
life  of  infernal  servitude,  by  the  Devil's  own  faith 
and  acknowledgement,  "  Thou  art  the  Son  of  God." 

In  Persia,  during  part  of  this  century,  under  Sapor, 
then  King  ;  a  bn-'j;  and  mosl  desolaiin^  persecution  ravag- 
ed (hs  dlsciph^^  who  lived  within  the  sway  of  that  idol- 
atro!i3  Tyrant.  So  general,  so  grievous,  so  completer 
was  the  extermination  of  the  church,  that  from  the 
fourth  century  to  the  present  period,  the  profession 
of  Christianity  and  the  name  itself  have  become  so 
ob-*cared,  as  with  fev/  exceptions  scarcely  to  exhibit 
a  solitary  testimoni;d,  that  inrmmerable  multitudes 
there  warbled  rede:nntion's  triumphs,  and  ii)  those- 
regions  vastly  increased  the  noble  army  of  Martyrs. 

Respecting  the  general  enjoyments  of  that  age 
which  immediately  succeeded  the  victories  of  Con- 
stantine ;  that  the  prophecy  wa«  fidfilled  is  evident. 


CENTURY    lY.  -- ^ 

Hot  only  from  the  testimony  of  tiie  Ilit/Lorians  who 
(hen  flourished  bnt  also  from  medals  stil!  exiBting,  on 
which  are  inscribed  Beata  Tranquiilitas;  Blessed 
TranqnilUiy;  and  as  if  the  Authors  had  imbibed  the 
spirit  of  the  Apostle  v.ho  foresaw  their  peace;  tiiey 
triumphantly  depict  their  gladness  in  almost  tlie  very 
terms  of  inspiration.  Lactantius  thus  writes,  ''tran- 
quillity being  restored  tin'ouoliout  the  world,  the 
church  lately  ruined  is  resuscitated.  After  tlie  vio- 
lent agitations  of  so  great  a  tempest,  the  calm  air  and 
the  desired  light  are  resplendoiit.  God  has  relieved 
tlie  afflicted,  and  wiped  away  the  teafs  of  the  sor- 
rowful" 

Thus  fmmanuel  restrained  the  winds  of  v>ar  and 
persecution:  nothing  was  permitted  from  v.ithout 
essentially  to  injure  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  the  Ro- 
man empire.  Vast  riumbers  of  the  J  ev»'s  were  added 
to  the  church,  and  a  great  multitude  which  no  man 
could  number,  the  servants  of  God,  seaiedin  their 
foreheads,  that  is  baptized  and  admitted  into  the  chris- 
tian covenant,  all  united  in  that  wonderful  cliorus, 
'•  Salvation  to  our  God  who  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  unto  the  Lamb,  Amen."  They  were  arrayed  in 
Avhite  robes  to  denote  their  justification  and  sanctili- 
cation  through  the  death  and  merits  of  Christ;  they 
carried  palms  in  their  hands  to  express  their  victory 
over  all  their  tribulations,  and  their  persecuting  en- 
emies ;  and  they  enjoy  the  comforts  of  a  land,  where 
famine  shall  not  molest,  thirst  shall  not  afflict,  and 
fires  shall  no  more  consume.  For  the  Lamb  tlieir 
gracious  Brother,  Redeemer,  Guide,  and  Friend. 
nourishes  tliem,  supplies  them  from  the  stream  which 
makes  glad  the  city  of  our  God:  and  banishes  weep- 
ing and  lamentation  from  every  heart,  and  "wipes 
away  all  tears  from  their  eyes."  Tiiiswas  realized  in 
many  points  oi  view,  and  while  it  demands  our  most 
fervid  gratitude  for  the  past,  it  PanctioiJj^  hope  for  the 
future;  wheji  during  tl;e  Milienium  this  spiendi<l 
vision  shall  be  the  picture  of  our  p:lobe,  and  authori- 
zes much  more  extatic  anticipr^tioiis  of  its  tina.l  and 


92  .       ECCLESIASTIC  AL  HlSTOftV.  LECTURE  T. 

unalloyed  consummation  in  the  regioiis  of  bliss  eter- 
nal. 

But  splendid  as  i- tlie  vision,  and  delightful  as  is 
the  prospect;  we  must  enter  upon  tiie  tlireshold  of 
t'le  church  which  then  existed,  and  inspect  its  va- 
rious characteristics. 

/.    The  Doctrine. 

The  pure  sentiments  of  the  Gospel  wore  the  gen- 
eral faith  of  the  Christians  of  the  fourth  century  : 
and  here  it  may  not  be  improper  to  record  a  summary 
of  their  fundamental  creed.  But  it  should  be  re- 
marked, that  while  we  adopt  the  evangelical  princi- 
ple, to  "  call  no  man  Master,  upon  earth,''  we  may 
reasonably  suppose,  that  the  Cluistians  who  had  suf- 
fered in  the  liery  ordeal  of  that  most  abhorrent  per- 
secution which  has  already  been  described,  could 
not  materially  have  departed  from  the  doctrines  of 
their  Ancestors.  Of  this  truth,  one  modern  example 
affords  ample  evidence  ;  the  present  Independents 
in  England,  scarcely  differ  in  any  perceptible  point, 
certainly  in  no  essential  feature,  from  their  Forefa- 
thers 2^}{)  years  ago ;  but  this  is  a  lapse  of  time  nearly 
double  that  which  passed  from  the  death  of  Polycarp, 
tlie  disciple  of  John  the  Beloved,  to  the  mutilation  of 
Hosius,  the  chairman  of  the  council  of  Nice.  AVhat 
then  was  their  orthodoxy  ?  They  lield  as  truths 
undeniable — that  man  was  a  corrupt,  helpless,  and 
hopeless  sinner — that  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  Immanuel, 
God  with  us,  had  left  the  throne  of  glory,  and  having 
become  incarnate,  had  died  to  atone  tor  our  sins  :  by 
liis  resurrection  had  verified  the  Gospel  which  his 
Apostles  preached  and  planted  :  and  by  his  ascen- 
sion had  resumed  his  station.  Mediator,  Propliet, 
Priest  and  King,  that  all  who  believe  in  him  should 
be  saved  from  the  curse  of  God's  law — and  that 
through  him,  that  effiilgence  of  spiritual  light  was 
diffused,  l)y  which  men  saw  their  misery  ;  and  that 
the  Holy  Spirit  by  his  divine  intluep.ces,  transformed 
Hien  from  tlie  bondage  oi'  Satan,  into  the  freedom  of 
the  children  of  God.     To  these  truths  were  added. 


CEA'TURY    IV.  9'i 

the  personal  experience  that  every  good  thought, 
^vord,  feeling  and  action  were  the  result  of  God-like 
interposition  ;  and  that  faith,  hope,  love  and  good 
works  liowed  from  promised  assistance  ;  in  short, 
that  the  redemption  of  man  from  his  first  serious  im- 
pression to  its  consummation  in  glory,  through  all 
the  stages  of  illumination,  guidance,  protectien  and 
deliverance  was  only  to  be  ascribed  to  the  praise  of 
him  Avho  on  the  cross  of  Calvary,  proclaimed  in  nev- 
er-dying energy,  "  It  is  finished." 

This  is  your  faith-— in  it  may  you  live,  in  holiness 
and  peace;  in  it  may  you  triumphantly  die,  and  for- 
ever exult  in  the  beatific  vision  of  God  and  the 
Lamb  ! 

But  it  is  lamentable  to  be  obliged  to  add,  that  the 
purity  of  truth  was  beclouded  with  an  almost  endless 
train  of  absurd  superstitions  ;  many  of  which  were 
indubitably  added  from  a  desire  to  conciliate  the 
Pagans.  Here,  it  may  be  necessary  to  mention  only 
one  :  among  the  Idolaters  it  had  been  an  universal 
practice,  to  form  grand  public  processions  and  pray- 
ers, to  appease  the  wrath  of  their  ideal  Gods  ;  these 
were  now  partially  adopted  in  a  ritual  of  great  pomp, 
and  were  most  magnificently  celebrated  among  the 
Professors  of  Christianity  ;  and  in  conjunction  with 
this  contradiction  to  common  sense,  as  the  Heathens 
had  attributed  to  their  temples  and  purifications,  and 
to  the  statues  of  their  Gods,  certain  propitious  efiects, 
thus  to  Christian  houses  of  prayer,  to  Avater  conse- 
crated in  a  certain  form,  and  to  images  of  holy  men, 
was  referred  the  efficacy  of  that  grace  which  the  Ho- 
ly Ghost  can  alone  impart. 

This  was  the  introduction  of  that  system  of  Purga- 
tory which  in  subsequent  ages  was  instituted  ;  and 
the  addition  of  solemn  rites  attached  to  particular 
days,  which  hoAvever  highly  deserving  of  remem- 
brance, ought  to  be  commemorated  Avithout  supersti^ 
lion,  increased  the  tendency  to  a  departure  from  the 
faith  of  the  Saints.  Hence  arose  the  exhibition  of 
those  insincere  practices,  Avhich  subsequentlj  mtro^ 


94  ECCLESIASTICAL  IlISTORV.  LECTLRE  V. 

duced  the  whole  Papal  fabric,  and  their  only  source 
of  defence  against  the  attacks  of  the  Reformers. 
This  facilitated  the  progress  of  the  monkish  system, 
and  forced  celibacy ;  and  sanctioned  the  establish- 
ment of  two  maxims  which  subsequently  unfolded  all 
their  iniquity.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  the  fourth 
century,  the  Christim  church  was  defiled  with  the 
general  belief,  adoption  and  practice  of  these  most 
abhorrent  positions,  "  That  falsehood  was  virtue, 
when  by  it  the  interests  of  the  church  could  be  pro- 
moted ;  and  that  errors  in  faith  should  be  punished 
with  torture  and  death." 

In  connection  with  the  doctrines  of  the  church, 
may  be  properly  enumerated  their  controversies.  It 
must  be  admitted  that  the  external  peace  of  the 
church  was  probably  one  source  of  the  arrogance, 
negligence,  and  disputations  oi  the  Prelates ;  many 
also  were  introduced  into  the  external  fold  from  mo- 
tives of  gain,  or  fear  of  punishment,  and  not  from  con- 
viction— hence  the  church  was  contaminated  with  a 
motley  crowd  of  concealed  idolaters;  and  who  no 
doubt  took  an  active  part  in  exciting  and  prolonging 
the  spirit  of  discord. 

The  Meletian  controversy  began  respecting  the 
jurisdiction  and  extent  of  power  of  the  Bishop  of  Al- 
exandria ;  but  it  gradually  assumed  a  more  direct 
ibrm,  by  having  some  religious  opinions  incorporated 
with  it.  This  dispute  divided  the  church  during  a 
long  season,  and  baffled  every  attempt  to  extirpate 
it.  So  irreconcilable  Avcre  the  Meletians  and  the 
Alexandrians,  that  no  mode  of  uniting  them  could  be 
discovered. 

A  short  time  after,  Eustathius  produced  a  wide 
spread  discord  through  all  the  western  part  of  Asia; 
his  system  would  have  destroyed  not  only  the  order 
and  happiness  but  even  the  existence  of  society.  He 
prohibited  marriage,  the  use  of  wine  and  flesh,  en- 
joined immediate  divorce  to  them  who  were  united 
in  matrimony,  and  permitted  children  and  servants 
to  violate  the  commands  of  their  superiors  upon  re- 


Ceatury  ly.  95' 

liglous  pretexts.  The  disorders  and  confusion  thus 
excited,  were  of  the  most  baneful  eifects  and  long 
continuance. 

Another  dissension  arose  respecting  the  identity 
of  Bishops  and  Presbyters  in  the  New  Testament ; 
and  as  this  attacked  all  the  power,  and  pomp,  and 
pride,  and  dignity  of  the  Prelates,  it  is  not  surprizing 
that  the  contest  should  have  been  violent  and  extent 
sive.  To  this  was  subjoined  an  aversion  from  the 
superstitions  which  were  then  prevalent  ;  and  this 
enlarged  the  dispute  ;  for  the  Bishops  were  striving 
for  their  usurpations,  and  their  inferiors  for  their  vain 
Ceremonies  and  pageantry  ;  but  the  reformers  were 
iinally  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  by  the  increase 
of  ignorance  and  corruption. 

But  the  most  celebrated  in  importance,  extension, 
and  duration,  of  all  the  controversies,  was  that  which 
involved  the  principles  of  the  famous  Origen.  In  the 
eastern  part  of  the  einpire  particularly,  this  frivolous 
dispute  filled  every  region  with  malignity,  vexation 
and  disorder.  So  high  was  the  reputation,  so  vast 
the  inlluence  of  Origen's  name  and  writings,  that 
every  party  in  all  the  controversies  invariably  ap- 
pealed to  him,  and  endeavoured  to  derive  sanction 
whether  for  truth  or  error  from  his  multifarious  writ- 
ings. Between  the  operation  of  conflicting  passions, 
envy  at  his  elevation,  rage  against  those  who  defend- 
ed him,  bitterness  against  those  who  opposed  him, 
and  the  rancour  of  the  different  partizansin  the  dis- 
putes, the  wliole  empire  was  agitated,  and  in  a  de- 
gree distracted. 

//.   The  Goverrjv.ent  and  Teachers  of  the  Church. 

Essentially  the  administration  of  the  church  was 
Bot  changed,  but  the  pre-existent  forms  were  model-' 
led  by  Constantine  so  as  to  form  the  hierarchy,  an 
exact  counterpart  to  the  civil  constitution  which  he 
had  established.  Jn  fact,  he  was  the  head  of  the 
Church,  and  his  authority  no  man  pretended  to  dis-^ 
pute.  One  privilege  the  Saints  still  enjoyed,  the 
Qheice  of  tlieir  own  Pastors  rnd  Teachers  ;  but  ttr 


i)6  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LfcCTURE  i. 

\vhole  of  this  right  was  finally  extirminated  in  the 
plenitude  of  princely  and  papal  power.  The  prima- 
ry act  was  an  exclusion  of  the  people  from  ail  part 
in  the  administration  of  Ecclesiastical  business ;  then 
(he  Bishops  divested  the  Presbyters  of  any  partici- 
pation in  the  direction  of  the  cliurch  ;  and  thus  tliey 
perfectly  monopolized  the  possessions  and  revenues 
of  the  people,  which  were  contributed  and  exacted 
for  the  professed  support  of  the  Gospel.  And  as  in 
all  file  tumults  respecting  the  election  of  tlie  Bishops, 
the  minonty  usually  appealed  to  the  Emperor,  the 
result  was,  an  usurpation  by  the  Bishops  of  the  rights 
of  the  people  ;  and  the  transfer  ui  all  Ecclesiastical 
concerns  to  the  civil  magistrates. 

The  Bishops  of  Rome,  Antioch,  and  Alexandria, 
kad,  prior  to  this  period,  been  considered  as  pre-em- 
inent— to  whom  was  added  after  the  transfer  of  the 
imperial  residence  from  Rome,  the  Bishop  of  Con- 
stantinople. These  divisions  introduced  the  conven- 
tion of  councils  to  decide  religious  controversies, 
and  to  regulate  all  the  peculiar  affairs  ot  the  church- 
es. An  accurate  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  nature 
and  character  of  these  bodies  from  one  fact.  Theo- 
dosius  the  Great,  summoned  a  council  to  meet  at 
Constantinople  ;  and  among  the  other  Bishops  who 
were  directed  to  attend— Gregory  Nazianzen  was 
invited.  That  great  man  refused,  and  in  his  reply 
to  the  Emperor,  after  reciting  his  virtues,  which  he 
loved,  and  his  authority  which  he  acknowledged,  he 
stated,  thafe  he  could  not  conscientiously  be  present, 
for  he  would  not  voluntarily  take  a  seat  among  chat- 
tering cranes  and  stupid  geese,  and  tliat  he  had 
never  seen  or  heard  of  any  benefit  having  flowed  from 
these  councils;  but  rather  that  they  were  sources 
of  division  and  contention. — The  history  of  nearly 
1500  years  has  fully  corroborated  the  justice  of  his 
opinion. 

But  to  preserve  the  order  of  proplietic  narrative  ; 
it  must  be  remembered  that  the  seecU  of  papal  su- 
premacy were  now  exhibiting  their  fcrlilily ;  the  mag- 


CENTURY    iV. 


§7 


Rificenee,  the  wealth,  the  power,  and  tlie  patronage 
of  the  Biahop  of  Rome  had  so  enormously  increased, 
that  the  attainment  of  that  station  was  the  highest 
object  ol  human  ambition.  Yet  to  counteract  this, 
the  Bishop  of  Constantinople  was  considered  as  his 
equal — and  the  strife  which  originated  in  (his  preten- 
ded equality,  finally  conducted  those  churches  and 
the  adherents  of  the  two  differing  Bishops  inio  that 
separation  which  still  exists  between  the  Greek  and 
Roman  professors  of  Christianity.  Both  equally  ig- 
norant and  servile,  and  of  course  alike  bigotted,  even 
after  the  lapse  of  1400  years. 

It  would  be  impossible  here  to  recapitulate  the 
names  only  of  the  various  writers  of  the  fourth  centu- 
ry ;  among  them  however,  we  cannot  overlook  Euse 
bius,  whose  history  forms  the  chief  detail  of  that  pe- 
riod— Athanasius  the  august  opponent  of  the  Ariai; 
Heresy — Chrysostom,  whose  profound  and  extensi\  (^ 
erudition,  proving  his  noble  genius,  still  survives  i:; 
his  works,  and  especially  famous  for  his  extraordina- 
ry eloquence,  whence  he  procured  the  name  of  "  Sil- 
ver Tongue." 

Gregory  Nazianzen,  Lactantius,  Ambrose,  Jerome 
and  Augustine  also  must  not  be  forgotten.  Jerome 
is  most  deservedly  esteemed  for  his  versions  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  which  still  constitute  the  stand- 
ard text  of  our  sacred  oracles,  and  who  if  he  were 
now  alive,  would  no  doubt  be  employed  in  the  most 
arduous  duties  of  the  Bible  Societies.  But  who  can 
delineate  a  portrait  of  Augustine,  whose  fame  was 
bounded  only  by  the  limits  of  Christianity  ?  The 
sublimity  of  his  genius,  his  indefatigable  zeal  for 
truth,  his  continued  application,  his  patience,  piety 
and  learning,  all  have  raised  him  to  a  pinnacle,  the 
foundation  of  which,  neither  time  nor  opposition  can 
remove. 

///.    The  Ceremonies. 

It  is  among  the  most  wonderful  of  all  the  events 

recorded  in  the  history  of  the  church  of  a  minor  kind, 

that  Augusthie  should  have  been  reduced  to  thcmor- 

N 


98  ECCLESIAf.TICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE   V. 

tifying  confession,  that  "  the  yoke  under  which  the 
Jews  formerly  groaned,  was  more  tolerable  than  that 
imposed  upon  many  Christians  in  his  time." 

Vast  numbers  of  the  Pagan  ceremonies  were  intro- 
duced into  tlie  idolatrous  worship,  and  their  obser- 
vances with  trivial  alterations  were  incorporated  into 
the  service  of  the  one  true  God.  Who  can  reiif-ct 
without  regret,  that  the  decorum  of  pure  and  uiuie- 
filed  religion  was  enveloped  in  mitres,  robes,  proces- 
sions and  pageantry  ? — and  its  spirituality  sacrificed 
for  the  richness  of  the  churches,  and  the  honour  of 
those  who  contributed  to  their  erection. 

The  temples  of  idolatry  were  in  n  great  measure 
subverted  by  the  effects  of  Cons^  ntine's  government; 
-bi3i  in  th"ir  stead  many  spleiuHd  buildnigs  were  ele- 
vated— and  to  those  who  builded  them  was  allotted 
thp  riQ;ht  or;i])poiating  a  Preacher.  This  aflforded  to 
every  patron  tlic  power  of  selecting  his  own  Minister 
and  Ceremonies.  From  this  cause  partly  arose  the 
numberless  festivals,  holidays,  and  days  of  fasting, 
which  from  indolence  on  one  point,  and  debility  on 
the  other,  must  incredibly  have  contributed  to  the 
depopulation  of  the  world. 

During  this  century  also,  may  be  easily  discerned 
the  commencement  of  the  Mass,  for  the  Bishops  used 
to  elevate  the  bread  and  wine  above  their  heads  that 
the  multitude  might  look  and  adore  ;  in  this  was  the 
origin  of  Transubstantiation. 

IV.    The  Heresies. 

It  is  scarcely  possible  to  denominate  the  Donatists, 
Heretics  ;  yet  their  conduct  was  at  total  variance 
from  all  harmony.  The  contest  arose  from  the  elec- 
tion of  a  Bishop,  and  in  fact  was  never  decided  until 
the  Pope  of  Rome  ingulphed  the  contenders:  but  the 
most  lamentable  part  of  the  fact  is,  that  these  dispu- 
tants who  filled  all  the  Roman  empire  with  the  worst 
of  all  contlagration,  the  fire  of  ignorance,  impudence 
and  bigotry,  were  at  the  same  time  united  upon  eve- 
ry evangelical  principle  which  involved  the  salvation 
of  the  souj. 


CENTURY    ly.  99 

The  most  important  and  durable  of  the  controver- 
sies of  this  period,  was  the  Arian  contention.  Arian 
was  a  word  very  commonly  used ;  but  it  is  diiiicult 
to  state  exactly  what  doctrine  Arius  believed.  One 
truth  must  be  admitted — the  whole  mystic  body  of 
Christ  had  without  interruptioa  believed  most  sol- 
emnly, that  there  was  a  real  difference  and  distinc- 
tion between  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost, 
but  all  existing  in  an  incomprehensible  and  divine 
Unity. 

Arius  opposed  this  position  by  affirming  that  the 
Lord  Jesus  was  merely  a  delegated  S'Overeign, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  an  emanation  from  the  Deity. 
This  Arian  doctrine  however  was  not  ratified  by  the 
Council  of  Nice  as  the  indubitable  belief  of  their  An- 
cestors, but  totally  denied ;  and  although  it  received 
all  possible  sanction  from  many  of  the  Roman  Emper- 
ors, and  Gothic  and  Vandal  Kings,  it  still  could  not 
preserve  its  buoyancy,  but  sank  to  its  present  degra- 
dation ;  a  few  only,  and  those  it  is  to  be  feared  but 
nominal  Christians,  professing  their  faith  in  such 
palpable  contradictions. 


Four  of  the  Apocalyptical  trumpets — the  extension  of  the 
truth — the  doctrines — the  rites  and  the  ceremonies  of  the 
church  during  the  fifth  and  sixth  centuries. 

•%:  X 

Nothinj^  can  more  cnTt'clnnlly  establish  our  faith  in- 
Diviite  Revelation,  than  the  remembrance  that  the 
Apocalypse  Avas  written  nearly  1730  years  since  ;  and 
that  all  its  primary  predictions  have  received  the 
most  exact  consummation,.  We  are  now  to  enter 
upon  a  new  division  of  its  wondrously  fiG;urative  de- 
scriptions; and  it  is  a  \Qry  remarkable  fact,  that  In- 
fidel writers  have  unintentionally  eonikmed  yVpoca- 
lyptical  delineations  by  usins;  scriptural  metaphors 
in  their  history  of  the  fifth  and  sixth  centuries. 

That  we  may  be  enabled  as  far  as  possible  to  ad- 
here to  the  order  of  John's  vision,  we  shall  enlarge 
the  present  review  to  include  the  most  strikinn-  fea- 
tures of  the  church  until  the  evolution  of  tlie  Moham- 
medan apostacy. 

This  part  of  the  prophecy,  the  eighth  chapter  of 
the  Revelation  by  John  includes  a  period  of  nearly 
two  hundred  years.  The  silence,  the  duration  of  the 
calm  of  the  church,  waa  foreseen  to  cotinue  but  half 
an  hour,  that  is  lor  a  very  short  term  ;  then  the  ancrels 
received  their  trumpets;  while  the  fh'e  cast  from  the 
censer  upon  the  earth  was  emblematical  of  the  wo 
which  the  voices,  thunderings,  lightnings  and  the 
carth(iuake  predicted. 

"The  first  angel  sounded,'^  kc.  This  doubtless 
«ef:?rs  to  the  desolations  committed  by  Alaric  and 
Attlla  the  scourge  of  God,  who  boasted  that  "grass 
never  grew  Aviiere  his  horse  0!ice  trod."  He  appears  to 
have  been  a  tiend  incarnate  ;  whose  sole  delight  was 


CENTURY    V.    VI.  101 

pillage,  murder,  barbarity,  fire  and  desolation  without 
bounds  and  without  end.  Seven  hundred  thousand 
of"  the  Huns  and  Goths  extended  themselves  from  the 
Euxine  sea  to  Italy,  and  totally  extirpated  70  cities, 
besides  devastating  the  whole  eastern  part  of  Eu- 
rope. 

"  The  second  angel  sounded,  &c."  This  prophe- 
cy seems  to  have  been  the  vision  of  Genseric's  suc- 
cess in  Africa  and  his  conquest  of  Rome.  He  and 
his  myriads  of  Vandals  crossed  the  streights  of  Gib- 
raltar, and  having  taken  possession  of  the  whole 
coast  from  Tangier  to  Tripoli  perpetrated  the  most 
indescribable  atrocities.  Rome  was  pillaged  by  these 
inhuman  monsters  during  fourteen  days,  and  the  hor- 
rors of  a  large  city  doomed  to  the  unrestrained  fury, 
licentiousness  and  rapine  of  a  horde  of  Scythian  Sa- 
vages, Avho  can  delineate  ?  He  was  as  a  great  moun- 
tain of  lire,  who  transformed  that  part  of  the  Empire 
where  he  rav  aged,  into  a  general  Aceldama,  a  field 
of  blood. 

"  The  third  angel  sounded,  &c."  This  trumpet's 
blast,  was  accompanied  by  the  destruction  of  the 
imperial  authority — for  in  the  year  476,  Augustulus 
was  excluded  from  his  station  by  Odoacer  king  of  the 
Heruli,  and  the  whole  Roman  empire  exhibited  only 
one  unceasing  and  universal  display  ofcontention,  dis- 
cord and  battle.  In  Italy,  Africa,  Spain,  Gaul  and 
Britain,  the  contests  were  fierce  and  uninterrupted 
between  the  natives  and  their  barbarian  invaders,, 
and  all  the  calamities  which  ever  attend  internal  com- 
motion, like  wormood,  embittered  every  condition  of 
society,  and  shortened  the  lives  of  infinite  numbers 
©f  the  wretched  inhabitants. 

'•  The  fourth  angel  sounded,  &;c."  Here  wo  have  a 
very  graphical  portraiture  of  the  final  extinction  of  all 
the  system  which  had  been  incorporated  into  the  Ro- 
man government.  About  the  year  5Q6,  Justin,  the  em- 
peror abolished  the  senate,  consular  office,  and  all 
the  magistracy;  Romp  was  degraded  from  the  state 
©fa  metropolis  to  a  tributary;  so  that  the  sun,  moon 


102  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  VK 

and  stars,  prophetical  titles  to  designate  the  various 
orders  ol  the  public  administration,  were  all  involv- 
ed in  the  same  impervious  night. 

After  these  lour  angels  had  sounded  ;  another  an- 
gel was  seen  flying  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  pronounc- 
ing for  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  three  wos,  when 
the  fifth,  sixth,  and  seventh  angels  should  blow  their 
trumpets. 

If  the  spirit  of  prophecy  had  notpreviously  revealed 
the  fact,  and  did  not  all  concurring  testimony  e\  ince 
its  truth,  it  would  be  absolutely  incredible,  that  in  so 
short  a  period,  the  glorious  eifulgence  of  the  Gospel 
could  have  become  so  obscured ;  and  that  during  so 
many  centuries,  hence  until  the  Reformation,  with  par- 
tial exceptions,  the  history  of  the  Christian  church  is 
the  narrative  of  a  land  of  darkness,  a«d  of  the  shadow 
of  death. 

The  Roman  Empire  aft^r  the  decease  of  Theodo- 
«ius  was  divided  between  Arcadius  who  resided  at 
Constantinople,  and  Honorius  who  ruled  tlie  western 
provinces.  But  the  latter  portion  was  subverted  e- 
ventuaily  by  the  irruptions  of  the  Huns,  the  Goths,  and 
the  Vandals ;  and  although  a  formal  subjection  was 
admitted  to  the  Emperor  of  the  East ;  yet  they  govern- 
ed witli  absolute  independence,  and  the  authority  of 
Constantino's  successor  was  merely  nominal. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  commotions  and  calamities 
which  desolated  the  empire,  and  which  were  so  des- 
tructive to  '•  pure  and  undefileel  religion,"  the  ancient 
idolatry  gradually  disappeared.  Theodosius  the 
younger  zealously  engaged  in  the  august  duty  of  pro- 
moting its  extinction:  he  either  demolished  the  Hea- 
then temples,  or  dedicated  them  to  Christian  devo- 
tion; extirpated,  as  much  as  possible,  the  pagan  f*^s- 
tivals  and  ceremonies ;  and  excluded  all  Polytheists, 
from  public  offices  and  honors. 

One  circumstance  connected  with  the  overthrow 
of  the  ancient  Roman  order,  is  too  remarkable  not  to 
be  noticed.  The  barbarous  hordes  who  pursued  the 
work  of  universal  devastation,  although  Pagans,  e- 


qfiKTURY    y.    VI.  103 

i^uaily  ignorant  and  ferocious,  in&tead  of  displaying 
any  peculiar  nialignity  against  Christianity  as  a  sys- 
tem, or  its  disciples,  purely  on  that  account,  a5  soon 
as  they  had  reduced  the  countries  which  they  invad- 
ed, universally  assumed  the  profession  and  the  exte- 
rior observances  of  the  church  :  and  thus  became  cm- 
bodied  with  the  original  inhabitants.  "The  earth 
helped  the  v/oman." 

The  foUovv'ing  particulars  comprise  the  narrative 
of  that  Mhich  is  requisite  to  enable  us  to  form  a  cor- 
rect idea  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  during  the  fifth 
and  sixth  centuries. 

/.   The  Extension  of  the  Truth. 

In  the  east,  the  tribes  who  resided  near  the  mouti- 
kiiiis  of  Lebanon,  embodied  themselves  with  the  pro- 
i'essed  followers  of  the  Lamb  that  was  slain ;  and  also 
the  scattered  nations  who  dwelt  between  the  Euxine 
sea,  and  Mount  Caucasus.  Many  of  the  Barbarians 
who  had  united  in  the  division  of  the  Empire,  the 
Burgundians,  Goths  and  Franks,  were  also  induced  to 
submit  to  Christianity.  The  Irish  likewise  in  large 
numbers  acknowledged  their  belief  in  the  son  of  God 
— while  many  of  the  Picts,  Scots,  British  and  their 
Saxon  Masters,  pretended  to  embrace  the  Gospel  of 
Christ. 

The  Jews  also,  in  multitudes  rejected  their  hatred 
and  obstinacy  and  worshipped  their  crucifiedMessiah. 
But  it  is  proper  to  develope  the  causes  and  the  nature 
of  these  conversions  which  are  so  pompously  and  so 
exiihiugly  detailed  by  some  of  the  ancient  historians. 
Tiie  change  of  the  eastern  nations  was  confined  to  a 
declaration  of  their  belief  in  Jesus,  a  surrender  of 
their  idolatrous  sacrifices,  and  the  recitation  of  short 
creeds  or  catechisms.  But  there  is  no  evidence  to 
autliorise  the  opinion  that  their  ferocious  tempers^ 
their  uncivilized  manners,  their  impious  licentious- 
ness, or  their  idolatrous  attachments,  were  in  any 
perceptible  measure,  subdued  by  evangelical  doc- 
trine and  authority. 

While  however,  it  must  be  admitted,  that  merited 


1Q4  EeeLESIATlCAt  HIST©RY.  LF.CTURE  VI. 

oulogj  may  be  justly  given  to  many  of  those  m  ho  zea- 
lously endeavored  as  Missionaries  to  "  turn  men  trom 
darkness  to  light;"  yet  it  is  irrefragal)le,  that  dread 
ofimperiil  and  royal  power,  hope  of  emolument  and 
the  anticipation  of  as-istance,  to  resist  the  assaults  of 
the  still  surrounding  Pagans,  constituted  the  chief  mo- 
tives by  which  so  many  were  impelled  to  desist  from 
the  external  exhibitions  of  their  ancient  idolatry.  An 
exemplification  of  this  general  truth  is  indispensable. 
The  remaining  barbarians  who  resided  on  the  boun- 
daries of  the  Roman  Empire,  especially  in  Europe, 
valued  the  excellency  of  a  religion  in  proportion  to 
the  advantages  which  attended  the  wars  of  those  wlio 
professed  it;  and  as  the  Romans  had  been  most  victo- 
rious, and  their  empire  included  the  largest  space  ; 
they  inferred  that  Christ,  whom  the  Romans  worship- 
ped as  God,  was  the  most  profitable  and  just  object 
of  honour  and  acknowledgement. 

From  this  impulse,  Clovis  King  of  the  Franks,  vow- 
ed that  if  Christ  would  give  him  victory  over  his  en- 
emies, he  would  adore  him  as  the  true  God.  Having 
been  successful;  we  are  assured,  that  after  he  and  3000 
of  his  people  had  been  baptized,  Remigi;is  preached 
a  sermon  on  the  Lord's  death  and  passion :  during  the 
discourse,  the  Kiiig  cried  out  in  a  loud  voice,  "•  if  I 
had  been  there  with  my  Franks,  that  should  not  have 
happened."  It  is  also  worthy  of  commemoration,  that 
with  the  exception  of  Clovis,  from  whom  the  French 
monarchs  derive  their  title  of  Most  Christian  King^ 
and  eldest  son  of  the  Church,  all  the  other  potentates 
who  seized  upon  ditTerent  portions  of  the  Roman  em- 
pire, were  either  semi-Pagans,  or  adherents  of  Arian- 
ism.  Respecting  the  Jews,  the  majority  bowed  to 
Christ,  not  from  the  energy  of  truth,  or  attachment 
to  the  Gospel ;  but  from  the  seduction  of  prollered  - 
wealth  or  emolument,  or  the  fear  of  persecution.  But 
one  fact  concerning  them  is  too  singular  to  be  omit- 
ted. "In  the  time  of  Theodosiustiie  younger,  an  im- 
postor arose,  called  Moses  Cretensis.  He  pretended 
to  be  a  second  Moses,  sent  to  deliver  the  Jews  who 


.(;i;-,N:iUKv   V,   VI.  1*05 

<lwelt  iu  tbti  iylatid  of  ('rete;  and  promised  to  divide 
the  sea,  aiid  oive  thcia  a  sale  passage  through  it  to  the 
continent.  They  assembled  with  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren on  a  promontory.  There  lie  directed  them  to 
«ast  themselves  into  the  sea.  Many  obeyed  and  per- 
ished ;  while  some  who  had  complied,  were  saved. 
The  deluded  Jews  would  iiave  killed  the  Impostor 
tor  his  pretensions;  but  ha  escaped,  disappeared  and 
was  seen  no  more.''  This  vvonderiul  instance  of  in- 
iiituation  became  the  means  oftheir  voluntary  submis- 
tiion  to  the  autiiority  oflmmanuel. 

Hence  it  is  evident,  that  the  siame  only  of  Christian- 
ity was  extended — no  self-denial  and  little  restraint 
\ipoa  their  passions  were  required  of  these  new  cori- 
verts;  and  the  exchange  was  almost  invisible  from  the 
worship  of  idols,  to  a  similar  adoration  of*  the  statues 
and  imao;es  of  Christ,  the  Virgin  Mary  and  the  Saints. 

//.  The  Doctrines  and  Controversies  of  (he  Church. 
The  subjects  of  determination  as  points  of  doctrine 
whicii  occupied  the  attention  of  tfiis  period,  were 
principally  upon  tlie  person  and  nature  of  Christ,  hu- 
man depravity,  and  the  various  topics  connected  with 
the  natural  powers  of  in:in,  the  necessity  of  divine 
grace,  and  the  freedom  of  the  human  will.  By  the 
Donatists  was  perpetuated  vvltli  the  utmost  obstinacy 
the  contest  concerning  liie  piu'ity  of  the  church;  lor 
they  differed  in  no  })oint  of  doctrine  IVom  their  breth- 
ren, it  was  a  question  respecting  solely  the  choice, 
and  election  of  a  Bishop  of  Carthage  ;  but  it  agitated 
the  whole  empire,  divided  the  opinions  of  all  parts  of 
the  churcJi,  and  during  200  years,  hlled  Africa  with 
blood  and  war;  but  towards  the  close  of  the  lifth  cen- 
tury, it  disappeared  and  ceased  to  exist. 

Tiie  Arian  heresy,  which  allirmed  that  tl;e  Lord  Je- 
^us  and  the  Holy  Ghost  were  oidy  creatures,  Mas  ge- 
nerally received  by  the  dillbreiit  nations  wiio  conquer- 
ed the  Roman  Empire.  Prior  to  their  irruptions,  the 
Arianshad  been,  severely  oppressed  and  persecuted 
by  the  rigour  of  the  imperial  edicts.  A  recollection  of 
|ii?  injuries  which  tliey  had  sustained,  aniir.ated  them 

0 


108  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  VI, 

w'lih  revenge  which  was  manifested  in  acts  of  the  ut- 
most barbiirity.  The  Vandals  in  Alrica  under  Gen- 
seric  and  iluniienc.  demohshed  the  places  of  worship, 
and  most  dreadfully  tormented  those  who  were  in- 
flexible in  adhering  to  tiieir  profession  of  the  trutii 
as  i I  is  in  Jesus.  Whether  the  following  remarkable 
event  must  be  ascribed  to  natural  causes,  or  to  mira- 
culous interposition,  will  continue  to  be  contro^'erted; 
but  oi"  its  actual  occurrence,  the  most  ample  and  au- 
thentic evidence  remains.  Hunneric  on  some  occa- 
sioM  commanded  the  tongues  of  a  number  of  those 
pious  men,  who  believed  in  the  divinity  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour,  to  be  eradicated.  After  the  execution 
of  this  outrageously  inhuman  sentence,  the  wretched 
sufferers  were  enabled  to  proclaim  distinctly,  the  god- 
like honors  of  Jesus  Christ. 

About  the  year  5.50,  the  Arians  were  very  numerous 
and  triumphant,  in  large  districts  of  Europe,  Asia  and 
Africa.  Tifrs  ?t'ormz<;oof/ impregnated  the  rivers  and 
fountains  oi' waters ;  but  its  exultation  was  only  tem- 
porary ;  the  exclusion  of  the  Vandals  from  Africa, 
and  of  the  Golhs  from  Italy,  by  Justinian,  and 
the  abandonment  of  the  heresy  by  the  Burgund- 
ians  and  the  Suevi.  were  a  death-blow  to  Arianism ; 
so  tliat  from  the  sixth  century,  this  system  has  never 
exhibited  any  energy  or  grafeped  any  aimplitude  ;  liav- 
ins;  been  swallowed  up. in  its  offspring,  the  delusions 
of  the  Prophet  of  Mecca. 

Another  most  deplorable  and  widely  extensive  di- 
vision arose  in  <.onse<]ucnce  of  a  controversy  respect- 
ing the  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  The  Prim- 
itive Christians  had  ahvays  believed  that  the  Re- 
deemer was  true  God  and  true  man  ;  but  the  myste- 
ry respecting  the  manner  and  effect  of  this  union  of 
the  two  natures  had  never  been  discussed.  '-That 
Christ  was  one  divine  person,  in  whom  two  natures 
were  inseparably  united,  without  confusion,*'  was 
the  uniform  opinion  of  the  Believers,  Avith  very 
lew  exceptions,  until  Arius  promulgated  his  er- 
rors.    It  U  scarcely  practicable  to  state  the  true 


CENTURY    V.    VI',  107 

puiiit  of  this  verbal  strife  in  inielligibie  language. 
Some  of  the  Avriters  avowed  their  opinions  in  terms 
which  led  to  the  doctrine,  that  the  divine  nature  in 
the  Saviour  had  absorbed  the  manhood  ;  their  oppo- 
nents, to  avoid  this  extreme,  expressed  themselves  as 
if  the  Messiah  were  two  distinct  persons.     This  is 
generally  known  as  the  Nestorian  controversj,  which 
was  finally  subdivided  into   several  sects.     But  we 
shall  attain  the  most  luminous  view  of  this  lamentable 
discord,  by  adverting  to  one  point.     That  title  which 
has  since  the  fifth  century  become  the  source  oi  so 
much  idolatry  among  the  Papists,  had  already  been 
applied  to  the  Virgin  Mary  :  in  coiisequence  of  the 
disputes  against  the  Arians,  she  was  usually  denomi- 
nated, "  the  Mother  of  God."    To  us,  nothing  can  be 
more  absurd  and  blasphemous,  than  the  appropria- 
tion and  use  of  such  a  pernicious  epithet.      The 
Nestorians  most  fervently  contended  against  this  title, 
and  urged  that  she  ought  to  be  designated,  only  as 
"  the  Mother  of  Christ."     A  general  council  of  the 
Bishops  and  Rulers  of  the  Church  was  held  atEphe- 
sus  in  the  year  431 — from  which  every  thing  that  was 
candid,  upright,  and  decent  was  completely  exclud- 
ed ;  all  their  transactions  being  conducted  with  des- 
picable cunning,  unjust  irregularity,  and  the  utmost 
turbulence  and  rage.     Nestorius  was  not  only  con- 
demned without  an  opportunity  of  defence  ;  but  even, 
although  he  utterly  denied  the  charges  of  heresy  al- 
leged against  him,  and  also  notwithstanding  he  declar- 
ed mostsolemnly  his  utter  detestation  of  the  doctrines 
imputed  to  him.     In  short,  it  has  now  become  the 
concurrent  decision  of  almost  all  the  Theologians  of 
every  age,  that  the  Council  and  Nestorius  dilfered 
not  in  sentiments,  but  in  tlie  words  which  they  adopt- 
ed to  explain  them  ;  and  tlsat  tlie  origin  and  prolonga- 
tion of  the  dissension  must  be  attributed  entirely  to 
the  arrogance  and  pride  of  Cyril,  the  Bisiiop  of  Al- 
exandria, and  Celestine,  Bishop  of  Rome,  with  their 
aversion  from  Nestorius,  who  was  Bishop  of  Constan- 
iinople,  and  against  whom  they  liad  alreadv  pro- 


I(>S  Kf CLESlASnCAf,    HISTORY.  LECTGKE  VJ. 

mulged  tv/elve  most  furious  nrmthemae.  He  wn^ 
eventually  exiled  ;  but  their  body,  as  uell  as  some 
of  their  origiaid  opponents,  still  exist  in  various; 
parts  of  Eastern  Asia  and  Northern  Africa. 

Tlw?  Pelagian  cotitroversj,  which  has  been  more 
famous,  permanent  and  extensive  than  all  the  otliers^ 
originated  in  the  early  part  of  the  iifth  century.  The 
doctrines  universally  received,  '•  that  human  nature 
is  originally  corrupt ;  and  that  divine  grace  is  neces- 
sary to  illuminate  the  understanding  and  to  sanctify 
the  heart,"  Pelagius  and  Celestius  opposed.  On  the 
contrary,  they  averred,  "  that  the  sin  of  Adam  and 
Eve,  Avas  not  im})utcd  to  their  posterity  ;  that  we 
derive  no  j;:orruption  i'rom  their  transgressions  ;  that 
children  are  born  now  as  pure  and  holy  as  Adam 
was  created  ;  that  mankind  are  in  themselves  capa- 
ble of  repentance  and  amendment  ;  that  they  have 
no  need  of  the  internal  assistance  of  the  holy  spirit  ; 
that  bapti'im  is  not  the  seal  of  the  remission  of  sins, 
but  a  mark  of  admission  to  the  kingdom  of  heaven; 
and  tliat  good  works  are  not  only  meritorious,  but  the 
sole  conditions  of  salvation." 

These  positions  were  generally  and  immediately 
condemned,  whenever,  and  as  soon  as  they  were  pro- 
mulged.  Augustin  had  urged  with  irresistible  force 
and  etTect.  tiiat  divine  grace  was  the  unmerited  gift 
of  God,  and  iiidispensnbie  to  the  salvation  of  men. 
Hence  arose  a  new  sect,  the  members  of  whicl),  with 
Cassian  as  their  head,  resolved  to  combine  the  dis- 
cordancies between  the  Predestinarians  and  the  Pe- 
lagiaivs  by  opening  a  path,  midway  between  the  two 
extremes.  TJicse  were  denominated  Semi-Pelagians. 
Thcirdoctrine  may  thus  be  described.  '-Grace  is  not 
necessary  to  originate  the  first  movements  of  penitence 
and  melioration;  these  c;\nbe  produced  by  every  man 
by  the  exertion  of  iiis  ownficullies;  and  all  persons  cau 
thus  believe  in  Christ  aiid  resolve  upon  evangelical 
obedience ;  but  no  persons  can  persevere  and  ad- 
vance in  that  holiness  and  virtue  which  they  com- 
meficed,,  without  the  perpetuul  support  and  a-a-ststance 


•CENTURY    V.    S'l.  109 

of  divine  Grace.  Their  fandamcntal  tenets  were; 
*' that  God  did  not  dispense  his  grace  to  one  more 
than  another,  but  was  wilhngto  save  all  men,  it'thev 
Gomphed  with  the  terms  of  the  gospel — that  Christ 
diedi'or  all  men — that  the  Grace  of  Christ  was  offer- 
ed to  all  men — that  man  before  he  received  grace  was 
capable  of  faith  and  holy  desires,  and  that  man  be- 
ing born  free,  could  resist  or  comply  with  the  influ- 
ences of  (he  Holy  Spirit." 

This  metaphysical  and  truly  incomprehensible  sub- 
ject has  continued  to  divide  and  alieiiate  the  church" 
of  Cln'ist  through  every  succeeding  generation  :  and 
is  even  now  as  eagerly  contested,  and  the  dispu- 
tants are  as  widely  separated  as  if  it  were  the  first 
perceptible  eruption  of  the  Volcano.  Augustine's 
tbllowers  are  generally  found  among  those  denomi- 
nated Calvinists- — while  the  Arminians  derive  their 
origin  from  the  Pelagians.  In  every  age  however, 
endless  have  been  the  modification  of  these  opinions, 
from  the  mystery  of  Supralapsarianism  to  the  Infi- 
del ma-xim,  that  "men  possess  naturally  the  power  to 
obey  the  divine  law  in  perfection."  During  this  con- 
troversy, Pelagius,  who  denied  the  original  depra- 
vity of  human  nature,  was  charged  with  invalidating 
by  his  doctrine,  the  ordinance  of  infant  baptism,  vvith 
its  propriety  and  necessity ;  he  indignantly  replied, 
that  he  w  as  not  a  Pagan — for  not  a  single  individual, 
no  one  sect  of  Christians,  even  though  avowed  He- 
retics, had  dared  to  deny,  that  Infant  Baptism  was 
the  pr3ctice  or  injunctioi^  of  the  Apostles;  or  that  it 
had  not  been  perpetuRted  by  their  authority  and  ex- 
ample :  for  when  an  Idolater  was  baptized  and  re- 
ceived into  the  Church,  all  his  Children  and  house- 
hold also,  whoever  the  inmates  might  be,  were  con- 
sidered subjects  of  the  ordinance. 

Amid  all  these  controversies,  the  progress  of  su- 
perstition in  principle  and  practice,  was  steady  and 
uniform.  The  souls  of  departed  Christians  became 
the  objects  of  cor/stant  invocation  ;  and  as  it  was  be- 
lieved, that  they  still  continued  to  hover  about  the 


110  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.        LECTURE    VL 

places  where  their  bodies  were  entombed,  their  se- 
pulchres became  the  places  M'here  this  abhorrent 
worship  was  statedly  performed.      Images  of  these 
dead  disciples  were  erected,  and  by  the  adoption  of 
the  old  Pagan  notion,  that  when  the  statues  of  Jupi- 
ter, Br:>.cchu3  and  Venus  were  erected,  those  fictiti- 
ous Gods  were  really  present  and  propitious  to  their 
devotees,  so  the  deluded  Christians  attached  a  simi- 
lar supernatural  efficacy  and  incorporatiou  to  tlieir 
anti-evangelical  idols.     To  the  bones  of  the  Martyrs 
and  to  the  figure  of  the  cross,  was  attributed  an  ener- 
gy irresistible  in  counteracting  all  calamities,  and  in 
extirpating  all  mental  and  corporeal  maladies.     An- 
cient Heathen  institutions,  in  pilgrimages,  supplica- 
-  tions,  and  festivals  to  their  demons  and  temples,  were 
continued  with  very  trivial  changes,  and  thus  the 
most  odious  part  of  the  idolatrous  mythology  was 
embodied  in  the  practice  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Hence  the  doctrine  of  purgatory,  the  worship  of  ima- 
ges and  saints,  the  power  of  relics,  and  the  efficacy 
of  good  works,  had  assumed  a  regular  establishment 
and  a  permanent  character  ;  Avhich  continued  to  aug- 
ment in  diffusion  and  influence,  until  they  enveloped 
in  darkness  the  whole  evangelical  empire. 
///.   The  rites  and  ceremonies. 
The  external  frippery  and  meretricious  glare  com- 
bined with  the  worship  of  God  during  the  tifth  and 
sixth  centuries,  exceed  all  credibility.    Robes  adorn- 
ed with  the  most  costly  and  gaudy  embellishments 
were  introduced  into  the  service  of  the  Sanctuary  as 
Priestly  decorations.     An  unceasing  choir  of  music 
was  maintained  in  many  places,  which  was  never  in- 
terrupted; but  the  choristers  resounded  their  chaunts 
day  ajul  night,  in  bodies  succeeding  each  other,  as 
if  the  adversary  could  be  extirpated,  or  the  .ludge 
appeased   by  unceasing  sounds.      We  may  almost 
wonder   at   the   inquiry;    to  what   region,  all   the 
wealth  of  the  Roman  empire  at  that  period  could 
have  migrated  ?  when  we  are  assured,  that  the  bones, 
^culls,  teeth,  nails  and  various  suppositious  relics  of 


CENTURY    V.    VI.  Ill 

the  dead  Martyrs  were  sacredly  preserved  in  caskets 
and  closets  of  solid  silver  and  gold  ;  while  the  ima- 
ges of  the  Virgin  Mary  liursing  the  holy  child  Jesus 
were  adorned  and  enriched  with  all  that  superstitioa 
could  prescribe  or  imperial  wealth  procure.  The 
magnificence  and  pomp  of  all  the  other  utensils  em- 
ployed in  the  service  of  the  church  may  therefore 
easily  be  conceived;  and  the  immensity  of  the  value 
must  be  estimated  from  the  universality  of  the  extra- 
vagance. 

Two  circumstances  in  the  liislory  of  these  centu- 
ries strongly  dcvelope  that  total  degeneracyof  raan- 
liers  which  had  become  too  general  to  be  diminished 
by  any  counteraction  then  existing  or  discoverable. 
During  the  era  of  persecutions,  the  Brethren  and 
Sisters  had  held  Agapa,  Feasts  of  Charity,  where 
all  the  sanctity,  and  all  the  consolations  of  C])ristiau 
love  had  ever  encouraged  and  intlamed  the  Saints  in 
their  anticipations  of  immediate  martyrdom  ;  these 
assemblies  inconsequence  of  the  riot  and  licentious- 
ness which  they  occasioned  were  totally  dissolved. 

But  the  proof  and  the  cause  of  still  more  detesta- 
ble enormities  originated  in  consequence  of  a  decre- 
tal issued  by  Leo,  Bishop  of  Rome.  It  had  always 
been  customary  for  offenders  against  the  dicipline  of 
the  Church,  publicly  to  acknow  ledge  their  guilt  be- 
fore the  whole  Congregation,  prior  to  their  restora- 
ion  to  the  communion  of  the  faithful;  but  this  pro- 
genitor of  the  Pope,  directed  that  nny  penitent  who 
privately  confessed  his  sins  to  a  Priest  regularly  ap- 
pointed for  tliat  duty,  should  be  absolved  from  guilt, 
and  restored  to  the  communion  in  the  same  estima- 
tion as  if  he  had  openly  declared  his  contrition  be- 
fore the  assembly  at  large ;  thus  all  restraint  upon 
impurity,  and  every  shield  of  female  modesty  were 
totally  exterminated. 

A  vast  variety  of  unmeaning  ceremonies,  and  the 
utmost  absurdity  of  gorgeous  display,  were  intro- 
duced into  the  celebration  of  the  ordinances.  The 
profession  of  the  candidate  was  absorbed  in  the  sib 


Il;i.  ECtLr.ijlASTJfeAt  HlSTWiii,  LECTURE  V-T. 

tin<>ss  \\\i\i  wliirh  it  was  accompanied ;  and  the  death 
of  tlie  Redeemer  was  Ibrgotten  in  the  prepostcrout^ 
ritual  with  which  they  pretended  to  commemorate 
that  wondrous  event.  To  consummate  tfiis  mourn- 
ful record,  it  only  remains  to  be  added,  that  to  ap- 
peaye  the  Pagan  converts,  who  were  chagrined  at 
the  loss  of  their  liacchanalian  orgies  and  feasis  of 
Pan,  several  festivals  were  instituted  at  the  same 
seasons,  and  the  only  difference  perceptible  was  the 
alteraiion  of  a  name;  Venus  for  Mary;  and  Bacchus 
or  Pan  for  John.  This  is  the  counterpart  of  an  an- 
ecdote related  of  the  most  revered  Latimer;  who, 
preaching  before  Henry  Vlil.  respecting  his  attempts 
to  combine  Popery  and  Protestantism,  reprobated  tht* 
sclieme  in  most  stern  denunciation,  and  declared  that 
it  was  all  Mingle-Mangk  ;  and  truly,  they  of  the  5tb 
and  6th  centuries mingle-mangled  all  together;  when 
ihey  displaced  Venus  to  set  up  *'  Lady  Mary,  the 
Mother  of  God,"  and  when  they  only  divested  Mer- 
cury of  his  laurel  coronet,  to  put  on  the  Monk's 
square  cap,  and  write  upon  its  front,  Peter. 

The  church  government  during  this  period,  m  ith 
some  other  topics  are  omitted;  as  it  will  be  necessary 
todcvelope  them  more  largely  in  their  connection, 
when  we  illustrate  the  rise  and  progress  oftheAnti 
Cliristian  Babylon. 

Of  the  Christian  Authors  during  these  centuries 
r.oUiiiig  of  sufiicient  importance  to  attract  our  atten- 
tion in  these  lectures,  cither  as  individuals  or  in  theit 
Avritings,  exists. 

This  is  a  wretched  wilderness  over  which  to  cast 
uur  eyes — during  two  hundred  years  the  church  of 
God  appears  to  have  been  a  complete  exemplifica- 
tion of  the  atlecting  statement  made  by  Asaph  with 
regard  to  Israel— Psalm  80  :  8—19. 

Notwithstafidingall  this  general  gloom,  some  light 
shone  or  Christians  would  not  have  suffered  persecu- 
cution.  We  have  a  common  proverb  ;  and  however 
thoughtlessly  or  even  improperly  used  and  appro- 
priated, it  is  a  solemn  momentous  trnt-h  iii  conuec-^ 


CENTURY    V.    Vl.  1 1J3 

U-on  with  the  Gospel  cf  Christ,  "  The  Devil  helps  his 
own."  Wicked  men  have  seldom  or  never  shared  in 
the  tortures  of  Christians;  lor  in  fact,  the  rage  olhrll 
would  never  be  kindled  against  its  own  devoted 
earthly  adherents:  therefore,  when  we  read  that  the 
tiolemnities  of  religion  and  the  claims  of  humanity; 
the  innocence  of  evangelical  rectitude,  and  the  paciiic 
temper  of  aChristian's  walk;  the  irradiations  of  Gos- 
pel truth,  and  the  universal  seal  of  Divinity  stamped 
upon  the  revelation  of  the  Son  of  God;  were  all  inef- 
fectual to  restrain  the  relentless  rage  of  barbarian 
maligfiity,  we  may  reasonably  judge,  that  the  major- 
ity at  least  of  those  incalculable  multitudes  who  per- 
ished in  every  variety  of  cruelty,  and  ignominy  and 
exquisite  torments,  in  Gaul,  Britain,  Germany,  Italy^ 
Greece  and  especially  in  Persia,  chieily,  if  not  alto- 
gether, for  their  intiexible  adhesion  to  the  Gospel  of 
Christ,  before  the  Idolaters  among  whom  in  conse- 
quence of  their  having  been  subdued,  they  contin- 
iiued  to  reside;  was  part  of  that  glorious  army  of 
Martyrs  who  are  now  singing  the  song  of  Moses  and 
the  Lan^.b. ''Great  are  thy  works, 'Lord  God  Almighty; 
just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  Kin^  of  Saints  ! " 


Th2  Apoccilypiical  prcihctions  rsspectin!^  tJii  Arahian  Ale- 
hammedans  aid  the  Turks — !hs  rdperstiliou:^^  h:piorancc. 
discord  and  dopravUfj  of  ihs  Greek  church  nhhui  ih^-r 
drsrm::>07i?^   until '•' (he  blessed  Rcfurnialio-t.''' 


Wc  have  now  arrived  upon  the  confines  oi'  that 
period  em  piratically  denominated  the  1260  years  ; 
at  the  commencement  ofwhich  was  exhibited  the  rise 
of  that  (hiphcate  alienation  from  th.e  Gospel  of^in-ist, 
the  Mohammedan  Apostacy  and  the  Roman  corrup- 
tions. These  have  unilbrmly  been  designated  as  llie 
dark  ages,  in  which  ignorance  and  vitiosity  maintain- 
ed a  n^sistless  and  an  almost  universal  sway.  Evan- 
gelical simplicity,  illumination  and  purity  were  eflTi- 
ce  1  by  pompous  superstitions,  unreserved  submission 
to  a  Monk's  directions,  and  the  utmost  licentiousnesEi 
sanctio:ied  by  a  Mendicant's  plenary  absoluiion  For 
th':'  sake  of  perspicuity,  the  two  divisions  of  .anti^ 
c'hrist  shall  be  separately  reviewed  in  tlieir  rise,  pro- 
grf^ss  and  distinctive  c'loracteristics. 

After  the  blast  of  the  fourth  trumpet,  a  pause  ensu- 
ed; durino-  which  interval,  tlie  Apostle  heard  the  an- 
gel who  lied  ihroup;!)  the  midst  of  heaven,  denource 
tlie  three  wos  which  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth 
should  experience.  "  by  reason  of  the  other  voices  of 
the  trumpets  which  the  remaining  angels  are  yet  to 
soinid  1'     Revelntion  9  :  1  —  1 1 . 

This  prophecy  delineates  the  origin  nnd  -ncccss  of 
Moliammcdanism.  W  iien  tlic  trumpet  resou.nded, 
tlie  Prophet  sav/  a  star  f:tll  from  heaven,  Avhicli  liold 
tlie  key  of  the  bottomless  pit;  and  having  opened  ii, 
a  crdiginous  smoke  issued,  that  darkened  the  sun 
aud  air;  tlioso  black  confused  doctrines  Mbicli  ob;- 
cured  the   pure  light   of  revelation.     This  star   haa 


CE.NTUllIES    VH XVI.  115 

been  applied  to  the  apostate  monk  Sergius,  ".vliovvas 
the  priiicijial  vvriter  ol  the  Koran,  and  pcculiarl)'  sub- 
t(.'i\iciit  Lo  the  designs  of  the  Arabian  impostor.  Ivjt 
an  insuniiountable  objection  may  be  urged  ;  it  rolVrs 
a  j)re-cminent  rank  in  propheey,  to  one  ot"  tise  most 
obscure  individuals  in  the  history  of  tiio  world. 

From  the  most  accurate  con3\)ataiion,  it  is  snffici- 
enlly  demonstrable,  that  in  their  commencement, 
the  grand  features  of  their  domination,  and  in  their 
extirpation,  the  tA\o  apostiicies  nearly  synchronize. 
Bill  this  remarkable  coincidersce  jusliiies  the  belief, 
.(tiai  the  filleii  star  denotes  the  ciiief  corrupter  of 
Christiaiiiiy.  The  star  fell  from  heciven  unto  earth, 
precisely  at  the  sounding  of  the  tififi  trumpet,  anteri- 
or to  the  appearance  of  the  locusts,  nnd  consequently 
preceded,  though  almost  imperceplihly,  tlie  Moham- 
medan imposture.  "Pure  and  undehled  Religion" 
had  been  almost  concealed  from  sight  by  the  author- 
ized worship  of  images,  saints  and  angels,  prayers  for 
the  dead,  and  other  papal  inventions;  which  subse- 
quent to  the  close  of  t'ne  period  allotted  to  the  tburlh 
trumpet,  had  disfigured  the  cou.':te.Mar:ce  and  defiled 
the  character  of  the  church.  The  h(  ad  ofth^se  absur- 
dities unlocked  the  abyss,  removed  (ije  obstacles  from 
Ihe  way  of  the  Impostor,  and  Ibrmed  the  pretext  for 
liis  ujission:  and  the  harmony  of  the  prophetical  rec- 
ords with  reference  to  the  Eastern  and  Western  Apos- 
tacies,  requires  us  to  admit,  that  not  an  individual, 
either  as  the  fiUen  star,  or  as  the  King  of  the  locusts, 
Apollyon,  was  intended  ;  but  tl^at  siiccessioii  of  men 
who  corrupted  the  Gospel,  and  of  Caliphs  who  ex- 
einplified  their  legal  claim  to  the  title  of"  the  Angel 
of  the  bottomless  pit." 

The  accuracy  of  this  vision  rcjiders  it  acondciised 
history  of  the  Mohammechins,  during  the  KiO  yevrs 
v/liich  ensued  after  the  lirsl  pu[>iic  deeleretinu  that 
the  Arabian  made  of  his  celestinl  appoinlmeni. 

Locusts  strictly  signiiied  the  Saracen  ar-nies  : 
tney  ongmated  ]n  the  same  regions  ;  m  ranii]>erp  they 
were  almost  iricalculablc;  and  th'^'v  spread  dcsolalio!] 


IIU  KCCLESIASTICAL    KISTOKV.         LECTURE   VIZ. 

through  all  the  Romaji  empire.     Scorpions  by  their 
sting  produce  extreme  pain,  which  is  ollcn  succeeded 
by  death  :  biii.  in  their   compound  character,  these 
men  were  enjoined  noi  to  de\  astate  the  earth,  hut  to 
slay  ai!  those  ••  men  wh.o  had  not  the  sen!  ot'God  up- 
on  their  ioreheads."     The  literal  direction   of  <his 
command  was  obeyed  ;  for  they  were  prohibited  to 
injure  any  fruits,  or  to  destroy  any  cattle,  except  tliat 
which  was  necessary  lor  their  food  :  and  it  is  an  irre- 
sistible df'mo.Mstrntion  of  the  certainty  of  the  "scrip- 
lure  of  truih,'^  that  the  conrpiests  of  those  scorpion- 
locusts  pi'inciprdly  extended,  where  the  greatest  cor- 
ruptions of  the  Gospel  liad  bi^en  admitted.    They  had 
no  power  to  kill  the  nations  :  tliough  they  grievously 
ravaged  many  parts  of  the  Gr<  ekand  Latin  churches, 
they  could   not  exterminate  them :    before  Constan- 
tinople tfiey  were  always  repulsed;  Rome,  they  could 
not  <]emolish.     A  locust  lives  precisely  five  months; 
and  for  tlie  same  prophetical   duration,  w  ere   these 
permitted  to  torture  the  nations.     Accordingly,  from 
the  public  declrjratiousofMolvammed's  delusions,  ITjO 
years  elapsed,  before  l-ijgdad,  the  city  of  peace  v>ns 
erected,  the  locusts  lerminrUed  their  conquests,  aed 
their  power  gradually  derlined.     Locusts  in  their 
heads  reseml^le  horses  :  and  the  Mohnmmednns  w  ei-e 
peculiarly  skilful   Ecjueslriaiis.      The  Crowns  denote 
their  turbans  and  other  badges  of  mnjesty,  or  the  ex- 
tension of  their  sway;  tlieir  faces  exh.ibiteda  manly 
b'^ard,  while  their  hair  was  decorated  after  the  fash- 
io  1  of  women;  their  lion-teeth  prefigured  their  enra- 
ged force:   their  iron  breast-plates  bespoke  their  en- 
ergy in  self-defence  ;  their  w  ings  lucidly  develope  the 
rapidity  of  their  victories  nntl  thefiny  of  their  assaults; 
and  their  scorpion-stiuij;s  diiliised  the  Impostor's  poi* 
son,  which  generated  more  injury  to  the  souls,  than 
their  barbirities  inflicted  misery  upon  the  bodies  of 
men.     The  title  of  their  king  was  peculiarly  empha- 
tic and  applicable;  Al)Kldon,  the  (lest rover— tor  they 
murdered  man  in  his  enjoyments,  in  his  hopes  and  i|i 
Kis  doom. 


CENTUKIES    VII XVI.  1  17 

••!^n<^  v,'o  is  past;  and  behold  there  come  two  wos 
more  hereafter:  along  period  intervened  between 
the  issuing  of  the  Arabian  locusts  and  the  loosing  of 
the  Euphratean  horsemen.''     Rev.  9:  13 — 21. 

This  prediction  is  iiiost  buninously  dis})hiycd  in 
the  history  of  the  Turks.  In  numbers  immense,  and 
with  irresistible  force,  the  Scythians  had  migrated 
westerly,  until  their  progress  was  arrested  on  the 
borders  of  the  Euphrates.  There  possessing  several 
parts  of  the  Saraceni<'  conquests,  they  remained 
bound  in  lour  distinct  sovereignties,  through  the  ins- 
trumentality of  the  European  crusades.  But  whert 
the  rage  for  these  more  than  Quixotic  expeditions 
ceased,  and  the  temporary  dominion  which,  the  Latiil!*- 
obtained  in  Palestine  was  nearly  extinguished ;  the 
trumpet  sounded,  the  four  angels  were  loosed,  and 
the  successes  of  the  Turks  over  the  Eastern  empire 
commenced.  Two  circumstances  in  the  accomplish- 
ment of  this  wo;  the  numerical  exactitude  ofthe  pe- 
riod allotted  to  their  devastations ;  and  that  unique 
characteristic,  "out  of  their  moutlis  issued  fire  and 
smoke  and  brimstone  ;*" — are  singularly  remarkable. 

The  angels  and  their  horsemen  from  the  river  Eu- 
phrates were  prepared  for  a  year,  and  a  month,  and 
a  day,  and  an  hour,  or  395  years  and  15  days;  and 
it  is  indubitable,  that  from  their  first  victory  over  th.e 
Eastern  empire  until  their  final  conquest  i[i  Poland, 
that  space  of  time  was  precisely  exhausted.  Gun- 
powder and  artillery  had  not  long  previous  to  the 
attack  upon  Constantinople  been  introduced  ;  and 
the  most  tremendous  engines  of  destruction  ever 
known  to  have  been  used,  vomited  death  from  their 
mouths,  during  the  siege,  in  which  was  "  killed  the 
third  part  of  men." 

Their  numbers  almost  surpass  credibility,  and 
they  were  cavalry:  enveloped  in  scarlet,  blue  and 
yellow,  they  appeared  as  covered  with  ftre.  jacinth 
and  brimstone:  and  their  horses  were  peculiarly  strong 
and  fierce.  Their  fire  and  brimstone  destroyed  the 
bodies  ,  and  their  venomous  stin2;s.  the  souls  of  men. 


118  LCCLESIASTICAL  llISTOflY.  LluCTL'ili:  Vll. 

Ferocity  was  their  dit^tiiictive  character;  i'ov  siriiiiar 
to  thescorpion-iocusls.  ihese  berpeiit-liorseineri  were 
armed  with  woriclly  ajabilioii  and  Mohaimncdan  iaii- 
nticism  ;  and  the  banir-haient  of  the  Gospel  with  the 
siibstilation  of  the  Koran,  universally  accompanied 
the  successes  both  oi  the  Saracens  and  the  lurks. 

The  close  of  the  vision  depicts  the  Latin  church 
during  the  progress  of  the  Angels  who  were  ioosed. 
Many  countries  in  Europe  were  not  aflbcted  by  the 
Saracenic  Locusts  or  ihe  Euphratean  horseioen ;  but 
they  persisted  in  the  worship  of  saints  and  images, 
in  their  persecutions,  inquisitions  and  murders,  in 
their  detestable  licentiousness,  the  pretended  celiba- 
cy of  the  clergy,  monks  and  nuns,  and  in  their  fraud- 
ulent exactions,  by  which  (he  nations  v^ere  impo\er- 
ished. 

The  victories  of  I\lohammedanism  and  of  the  iio- 
man  idolatry  coincide;  yet  the  tremendous  njiserics 
produced  by  the  former,  and  the  glorious  Keiorm 
Avhich  the  superstitions  of  the  latter  iinrJly  engender- 
ed, eflecled  but  a  diminulive  transibrmation.  iJciice, 
they  will  feel  the  horrors  of  the  tliird  moat  awinl  wo. 

iVcdiction  is  now  narrative;  for  that  which  John 
prospectively  saw  has  occurred.  '•  Thc^  second  wo. 
is  past.'' 

Nothing  can  be  more  evident  tliaii  that  this  proplie- 
tic  delineation  refers  to  the  desolation  of  the  Eastern 
]iart  of  the  Roman  Empire;  and  it  is  a  wondrous  con- 
lirmation  of  our  faith  in  the  divinity  of  the  Christian 
f.ystem,  that  the  events  should  so  accurately  !;.'-vo 
coalescd  v.itli  the  ])rediction. 

The  progress  of  this  curse  over  the  earth  v. as 
equally  rapid,  extensive  and  direful.  From  tfie 
Mohammedan  era,  theHegirain  b2:!.must  prob.djly 
I) i  dated  the  commencement  of  the  r2(50  years  in  ref- 
erence to  the  Eastern  Cliurch;  hence  the  total  extir- 
pation oi'  this  system  Avill  probably  have  occurred 
prior  to  the   end  of  this  cciitu  ry. 

The  following  brief  \ieu'  of  the  chief  doctrines  and 
practices  of  this  delusion  cannot  be  irrelevant. 


CK^'Tunr^LS  MI — -xvj.  119 

The  Mohamnieclanrj  bnild  nil  Ihoir  iaiih  iipnii  one 
|)v'jsilioii — "there  is  no  God  but  one.  raid  Mohv^mmed 
is  the  Apostle  ot'Gotl.''  AH  their  articles  of  bciirf  are 
comprized  in  the  unity  oliiotL  the  existence  of  An- 
gels, the  absolute  i]Tjmutai~)!litv  of  the  inost  minutely 
applicabJe  predestination,  the  revelation  of  the  divinr^ 
will  to  iJoscs.  David,  Jesus  nnd  I^iohammed  ;  but 
ihi  Jewish  and  Christian  S'eriphires  ih^^y  reject  FfS 
totally  corrupted,  and  maintain  the  Koran  to  be  tho- 
solo  standard  of  truth;  (liej  also  admit  a  general 
resurrx^elion  and  future ju'lgnient. 

/The  Mohammedan  description  of  hell  is  perfectly 
ludicrous,  and  yet  extremely  nppe.!iinf>;  to  the  senses  ; 
v/hile  the  exhibition  of  heaven  in  the  Koraji  is  most 
offensively  indecent  and  volupiuons. 

This  is  llicir  faith,  ^vhat  is  their  prnclicep-r-lt  con- 
sists in  five  daily  stated  prayers:  before  sunrise — 
after  mid-day — before  sunset — during  the  tvv'ilight — 
after  night;  with  these  are  conjoined  a  variety  of 
coremorfial  washings  and  purifications. 

Legal  and  voluntary  aims — fasting;  and  above  all 
Vno  pdgrimage  to  Mecca;  without  vvhich,  this  Ara- 
bian .hnpostor  declares,  even  one  of  his  own  disci- 
ples might  as  well  be  a  Jew  or  a  Christian  ! 

Herice,  we  may  cease  to  feel  any  surprise,  that 
Apollyon  should  have  so  swiftly  and  extensively  in- 
gulphed  so  many  myriads  ^\ithin  his  vortex. 

By  the  force  of  e.rnis  and  the  splendour  of  victory, 
the  natiop.s  were  obliged  or  inti;nidaled  to  submit  to 
the  Caliphs.  The  cruel  dissensions  r^mong  the  Nes- 
torians,  the  Greeks,  and  the  otlier  sects  Were  accom- 
panied with  such  abhorrent  oatrnges,  that  the  very 
name  of  Christianity  became  odious.  At  this  period 
also,  all  tjic  Eastern  countries,  and  even  the  mnjor 
jTart  of  the  Roman  empire  were  overwhelmed  in  the 
most  profound  ignorance,  and  of  course  were  easily 
deluded  by  a?i  artful  and  bold  Teacher,  decorated 
with  the  garb  of  an  irresistible  Conqueror.  Eut  the 
grand  reason,  was  its  complete  and  cunning  adapta- 
tion to  l!)e  depravity  of  the  l^.umnn  heart.     He  select- 


VIO  ECCLESIASTICAL  IFISTOKV.  LKCTLKE  vri, 

vd  some  of  the  funilamental  truths  uhich  both  Jews 
and  Christians  believed — he  required  ot  his  diseiples 
hut  few  reii»ioiii^  (Uities,  neither  diifFieuit  to  he  ])er>- 
formed  nor  involving  any  restraint  upon  their  corrupt 
passions  ;  and  thus  by  sanetilying  their  pre-conceived 
opinions,  by  admitting  all  their  usual  customs,  an<l 
by  indulging  all  llie  vices  to  which  they  were  natu- 
rrdlv  addicted,  he  successfully  triumphed  over  the. 
iihiuiination  and  holiness  of  Christianity. 

The  delusions  of  the  Arabian  Impostor  still  ccm- 
prchend  within  their  sway,  all  the  Eastern  Roman 
empire,  with  the  partial  exception  of  the  scattered 
Greek  Church,  Arabia,  Persia,  a  considerable  part 
of  India,  China,  Tartary,  Egypt  and  the  whole  north- 
ern part  of  Africa,  except  where  the  nominal  Chris- 
tians of  Abyssinia  yet  perpetuate  some  remembrance 
of  the  ancient  faith  arid  glories  of  Redemption  by  the 
Lamb  who  was  slain. 

But  the  demolition  of  this  apostacy  seems  to  be 
predicted  in  Revelation  16:  12;  and  as  this  vial  of 
the  wrath  of  God  is  immediately  anterior  to  the  ex- 
tinction of  the  Pnpal  superstition;  it  furnishes  a 
strong  argument,  that  as  they  were  not  very  distantly 
separated  in  their  original  establishment,  so  the  de- 
struction of  the  former  will  be  lollowed  at  no  long 
interval  by  the  other's  extermination. 

The  history  of  the  Church  in  those  countries  Avtiere 
the  "  Angel  of  the  bottomless  pit,"  Abaddon  or  Apol- 
lyon  has  during  so  many  centuries  been  permitted  to 
tyrannize,  must  now  be  examined;  an.d  the  narrative 
which  demands  our  attention,  may  be  lucidly  and 
summarily  comprehended  in  four  words,  svpersd- 
fion.,  ignorance,  discord am\  (Irpravifij.  But  to  illustrate 
the  progress  and  consummation  of  this  odious  and 
wrathful  pestilence,  it  is  necessary  distinctly  to  sep- 
arate the   review  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  churches. 

During  the  period  which  elapsed  from  tiie  estab- 
lishment of  Mohammedanism  in  tlie  seventh  century, 
until  the  capture  of  Constantinople  by  the  Turks  in 
1453,  tlie  Christians  were  nominal  possessors  of  the 


CENTURIES    VII— XVJ.  l2i 

ancient  authority  v/liicli  the  successors  of  CoDstantine 
enjoyed  a;id  bequeathed;  but  from  the  period  when 
ths  Bishop  of  Rome  was  elevated  to  the  dign.ify  of 
suprciiie  Poutid^  in  the  west,  the  power  of  the  Em- 
peror was  Uttle  recognized,  and  less  obeyed.  The 
progress  towards  idolairous  institutions  and  mental 
darkness  was  uniform;  and  the  increase  of  these  evils 
was  accelerated  by  the  contentions  that  successively 
arose  a^nong  the  adherents  of  the  two  rival  hierar- 
chies, Komc  and  Constantinople. 

Notv\'ithstanding  these  formidable  barriers  to  the 
extension  of  -tiie  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus;"  durino-  seve- 
j"al  centuries,  diversified  attempts  were  made  by  the 
Nestorians  es])ecial!y,  which  were  partially  success- 
ful, to  ampliiy  the  knowledge  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion. 

In  all  the  countries  generally  included  in  (he  ap- 
pellation, independent  Tartary;  that  is  the  northern 
boundaries  of  Syria,  Persia,  India,  and  even  to  Chi- 
na ;  the  ihiluence  of  that  disfigured  and  mutilated 
Christianity  v»  hich  wa?  then  preached,  was  acknow- 
ledged and  perceptible  ;  and  no  doubt  can  be  admit- 
ted respecting  the  fact;  that  myriads  of  persons, 
protessing,  and  with  all  their  imperfections,  many 
of  them  sincerely  believing  and  experiencing  the 
power  of  Redeeming  grace,  then  existed  in  those 
realms,  whicli  now  appear  ingulphed  in  the  tangible 
darkness  produced  by  the  Arabian  Apollyon's  scor- 
pion-slings. 

During  the  tvv'elfih  century  a  remnrkable  occur- 
rence highly  benefited  the  cause  of  the  Gospel.  A 
Nestorian  Priest,  historically  denoininated  Prester 
John,  conquered  a  large  kingdom  in  the  eastern  re- 
gions of  Asia,  and  established  the  predominance  of 
evangelical  principles ;  but  the  authority  of  them  was 
of  short  duration  only ;  for  during  the  reign  of  his  suc- 
cessor, Genghiskan  the  Tartar  demolished  the  king- 
dom and  the  sway  ol"  the  cross  :  and  wherever  his 
victories  extended,  a  diminution  of  the  disciples  im- 
r^i-^diatelv  succeeded.     The  universal  subversion  ©f 

Q 


122  KC^.L^blASritAL    HlSTUKi.        LECTURE   Yi'I. 

the  Nestorian  churclies  was  consummated  by  Tamer- 
lane in  the  fouiicenlh  cciiliii'Y  ;  and  where  the  light 
oi"  hl'e  in  some  degree  irradiated  the  minds  otnieii, 
now  the  reveries  of  Mohammed  or  the  abominations 
of  Paganism  possess  an  undisputed,  and  almost  an 
unlimited  control. 

The  general  condition  of  those  who  siill  adhered 
to  "the  glorious  Gospel  of  the  ever  Blessed  God," 
was  at  no  period  of  these  eight  centuries  more  than 
tolerable  ;  and  often  were  they  involved  in  very  ap- 
palling miseries. 

Innnediately  after  the  martial  successes  of  Moham- 
med, and  the  earliest  Caliphs  had  yielded  them 
peaceable  possession  of  the  countries  bordering  upon 
Arabia;  their  astonishing  intrepidity  and  infuriated 
fanaticism  which  had  been  previously  engrossed  in 
extending  their  military  conquests,  not  havmg  any 
external  object  for  their  continual  ebullition,  began 
to  exhibit  their  malignity,  in  the  oppressions  of  the 
Christians  still  resident  among  the  nations  whom  they 
had  vanquished  and  subdued.  In  tlieir  primary  exer- 
cise of  government  they  had  been  most  laudably  mo- 
derate and  indulgent;  but  their  lenient  dominion  was 
gradually  transformed  into  vexatious  severity:  the 
Nazarenes  were  oppressed  with  tributes  so  heavy, 
that  they  were  almost  equivalent  to  a  general  confis- 
cation of  their  property,  and  their  rights  as  freemen 
were  exchanged  for  the  degradation  of  galling  vassal- 
age. This  wretchedness  was  augmented  through  e- 
very  succeeding  generation.  During  the  eighth  centu- 
ry, the  Saracens  and  the  Turks,  although  conllicting 
betweenthemselves,  were  equally  opponents  and  des- 
troyers of  tin'  Redeemers  terrestrial  kingdom. 

This  unnatural  combination  could  not  long  subsist, 
an  Antichrislian  tyranny,  and  a  Christian  people  : 
hence,  in  the  revolution  of  another  century,  that  they 
might  live  in  this  world  in  peace,  vast  numbers  of 
those  who  professed  Christianity,  conformed  to  the  a- 
postacy  of  their  despots:  and  they,  whose  evangelical 
magnanimity  resisted    all   the   deception^   of  their 


eTENTURlES    VII— p'XVI.  123 

tempters,  were  so  constantly  and  bitterly  persecuted 
and  debr^sed,  that  nothing  of  Christianity  remained, 
bat  the  denomination,  and  a  few  insipid  ceremonial 
institutions. 

From  this  period,  until  the  capture  of  Constantino- 
ple by  the  Turks,  the  history  of  the  Christian  disciples 
combines  only  an  accumulation  of  their  tortures.  The 
severity  of  the  Mohammedan  victors  increased  in 
proportion  to  their  triumphs  in  Avar;  ufitil  their  con- 
tinual exactions  of  the  wealth  of  the  conquered  ;  (heir 
demolition  of  the  houses  of  prayer,  their  obstructions 
to  the  induence  of  Gospel  intelligence,  and  their 
ceaseless  murders  of  all  the  men  of  wisdom,  fortitude, 
and  exemplary  piety,  having  bereft  the  remnant  of  the 
church  of  its  terrestrial  pillars  enveloped,  almost  all 
that  was  called  christian,  in  one  mingled  mass  of 
ignorance,  incivilization  and  ruin;  in  which  devasta- 
tion they  still  continue  overwhelmed. 

But  it  is  requisite  to  delineate  more  graphically 
their  prominent  features. 

/.   Their  Superstitions. 

No  proposition  is  more  self-evident,  than  that  the 
illumination  ofgospel  truth,  and  the  purity  of  religious 
worship  are  inseparable.  Of  the  absurdity,  equally 
with  the  extent  and  aggravation  of  the  superstitions 
rites,  which  had  been  introduced  into  the  church,  pri- 
or to  the  seventh  century,  and  during  its  revolu- 
tion, the  following  extract  from  the  life  of  Eligius  a  ve- 
ry famous  Popisli  saint,  furnishes  ample  evidence.  It 
may  not  however  be  unnecessary  to  remark,  ihat  it 
was  the  general  character  of  those  Bishops  of  this 
period,  who  desired  popularity  or  wealth,  most  pom- 
pously to  promulge  that  they  were  supernaturally  in- 
spired to  discover  the  relics  of  i\\e  martyrs.  Such 
was  Eligius ;  and  the  state  of  piety  among  those  Chris- 
tians we  can  therefore  correctly  estimate.  The  old 
writer  of  his  life  Dacherius  thus  declares  his  eulogy: 
"  To  this  most  holy  man,  God  also  granted  among  oth- 
er miracles  of  his  virtues,  that,  through  his  researches 
the  bodies  of  the  martyrs,  which  during  so  many  ages 


21  ECCLESIASTICAL  HlSTOUl'.  LECTCRE  Ylh 

md  been  concealed;  by  his  ardour  of  faith,  should 
be  produced  and  displayed."  To  dislodge  the  bones 
of  the  dead  from  their  dormitories,  seems  thus  to  have 
been  the  most  dlgiiiiied  and  the  noblest  employment 
of  a  christian  minister:  and  to  worship  them  v.  hen 
inclosed  in  gold  and  silver  «.askets,  v.as  equally  the 
proudest  boast  and  the  highest  devotion  of  the  avow- 
ed disciples  of  the  Son  of  God. 

An  immense  traflic  Avas  carried  on  in  old  bones, 
skulls,  teeth  and  nails;  and  for  the  celebration  of  the 
honors  due  to  their  suppositious  original  owners,  par- 
ticular days,  festivals,  forms  and  ceremonies  were  ap- 
pointed, so  that  each  object  might  retain  its  peculiar 
and  appropiiatc  ritual.   1. 

This  detestable  degradation  of  the  human  mind, 
and  this  abhorrent  perversion  of  all  Christian  institu- 
tions, progressively  augmented  until  it  swallowed  up 
the  church,  in  the  vortex  of  pompous  idolatry.  Gen- 
uine religion,  learning  and  devotion  having  all  nearly 
expired,  an  ostentatious  ceremonial  avp.s  substituted  ; 
and  to  invent  afresh  ceremony;  to  change  the  music; 
to  superadd  a  new  mode  of  venerating  the  ])ictures, 
images,  statues,  or  relics  of  the  saints;  to  discover  a 
liovei  exhibition  of  magnificent  frippery,  in  embellish- 
ing the  robes  of  the  saints,  or  the  garments  of  the  sa- 
cerdotal order;  and  to  direct  (lie  postures, looks  and 
movements  of  those  who  conducted  their  public  wor- 
ship, were  considered  the  highest  attainments  of  hu- 
man ambition,  and  the  only  guide  to  terrestrial  im- 
mortality. 

Hence  the*  essence  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion 
was  lost;  exterior  splesidor  usurped  the  place  of  spi- 
ritual mindedness;  the  indulgence  of  an  unbridled 
imagination,  and  tlic  captiv:;iion  of  t\\e  bewildered 
senses,  constituted  the  sole  object  of  all  tlie  religious 
o])3ervances;  and  thus  Christianity  was  totally  ob- 
scured in  its  authority,  principles,  spirituality,  advaiV 
tages  and  enjoyments. 

].  Appendix  VFI!. 


cKNTuniES  VII — XVI.  12:j 

//.   I'iifir  Ignorance. 

To  this  period  may  be  referred  the  diiDinutioii  of 
those  eilbrts  to  cultivate  the  various  sciences  whicii  e- 
ventiialij  transformed  the  Ciiristian  world  into  lands 
sitting  *•'  in  darkness,  and  the  shadow  of  death."  The 
doctrines  of  the  goypci  were  enshrouded  by  clouds 
■of  the  most  profound  and  impervious  ignorance  ;  in- 
stead of  that  spiritual  v.'orship  which  the  truth  re- 
quires, the  teachers  of  that  age,  "tiie  blind  leading  the 
blind,"  substituted  the  imploration  to  saints,  and  the 
adoration  of  their  images  ;  the  atonement  of  Christ 
was  baiiished  for  the  expiations  of  a  future  purgatory; 
the  fundamental  article,  justification  by  faith.,  was  ex- 
cluded ;  and  in  its  stead  was  proclaimed  the  etHcacy 
of  vani  ceremonies  to  attain  salvation;  and  the  neces- 
sary influences  of  the  Spirit  of  all  grace,  to  begin  and 
perpetuate  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul,  were  discarded 
for  the  belief,  that  the  vilest  relics  of  corruption  could 
heal  all  <'orporeal  maladies,  and  eradicate  every  dis- 
.order  of  the  understanding,  the  affections,  and  the 
heart.  Thus,  the  clearest  light  was  metamorphosed 
into  the  utmost  labyrinthiiii  obscurity. 

The  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity  seem  to 
have  been  nominally  held  by  the  generality  of  per- 
sons ;  but  the  efficacy  of  divine  truth  was  impeded  by 
the  doctrine  of  the  merits  and  intercession  of  the 
saints,  and  the  grov/ing  attrichment  to  the  ceaseless  and 
augmenting  ceremonial  of  the  puerile  pomp  and  silly 
.splendour  which  ^ittended  the  image  worship  substi- 
tuted for  the  magnificence  of  Bacchanalian  Pantheis- 
tic idolatry,  finpllj  enveloped  every  part  of  the  chris- 
tian world  in  a  total  torpor;  until  the  very  highest 
dignitaries  of  the  church  were  utterly  unable  to  read 
or  write ;  and  used  to  ajypend  the  cross  to  public  re- 
cords, to  verify  their  signature  and  approbation  : 
which  was  the  origin  of  the  modern  marks  to  certify 
acts,  when  tlie  j/;  rties  cannot  personally  subscribi^ 
their  own  appellations. 

///.   Their  Discord. 

Controversies  respecting  the  procession  of  the  Ho- 


12G  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  VII. 

ly  Ghost — predestination  and  grace — the  manner  in 
which  Christ  was  born  of  the  virgin,  and  other  minor 
points,  partially  disturbed  the  stagnation  olthe  church 
daring  this  period.  But  three  other  topics  were  sourc- 
es of  permanent  contention,  two  of  which  iinallj  sev- 
ered the  nominal  Clu'istians  into  Greeks  and  Latins. 

The  election  ofPhotius  as  Bishop  oi  Constantino- 
ple, involved  the  adherents  of  the  two  Patriarchs  in 
general  confusion.  A  catalogue  of  chaiges  combin- 
ing doctrinal  and  practical  corruption  was  promulg- 
ed  against  the  Romans,  and  only  tended  to  prolong 
and  strengthen  the  distraction. 

But  the  contest  which  arose  concerning  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  body  and  blood  of  Christ  are  present 
in  the  Eucharist  is  especially  distinguishable  for  its 
interest  and  consequences.  A  variety  of  opinions 
had  been  held  upon  this  topic,  without  any  person's 
having  pretendf^xl  to  decide  the  controversy  authori- 
tatively and  with  precision.  About  the  middle  of 
the  ninth  century,  one  of  tliat  pestiferous  generation 
of  Vipers,  the  Monks,  ])ubiished  a  discussion  upon 
the  body  and  blood  of  Christ;  in  which  that  son  of  ig- 
norance maintained,  that  after  the  consecration  of 
the  bread  and  wine  by  the  Priest,  their  substantial 
qualities  were  removed  ;  their  figure  only  remnining, 
which  contained  the  real  body  and  blood  of  Christ 
truly  and  locally  present ;  and  that  this  figure  of 
bread  contained  the  same  body  of  our  Lord  whicii 
was  crucified,  and  Avas  raised  from  the  dead. 

Against  this  most  astonishing  and  palpable  absurdi- 
ty, one  writer  alone,  .John  Scotus  argued  for  the 
trutri,  by  demonstrating,  that  the  Sacramental  ele- 
ments were  symbols  only  of  the  invisible  Uedeemer, 
The  positions  thus  aflirmed  were  discovered  how- 
over  to  be  of  a  very  advantageous  nature  to  the  su- 
perstitious despotism:  niid  amid  the  increasing  gloom, 
they  continued  to  chnrm  the  votaries  of  idolatry,  un- 
til they  were  eventually  proclaimed  as  infallible  ax- 
ioms by  the  Papal  Transubstantiation. 

But  the  most  violent  of  all  the  contentions  which 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  127 

liisorganized  those  who  bore  the  name  of  Christian, 
was  the  subject  of  image-worship.  The  Roman  Pope 
having  by  the  most  nefarious  means  grasped  conside- 
rable temporal  authority,  resolved  to  defend  his 
deteriorations  of  the  Gospel,  the  profitable  trade 
of  shrine-makii!2;,  and  the  devotions  to  the  dead  and 
iheir  statues,  by  the  power  which  he  had  usurped 
and  possessed.  Against  tliis  corruption;  in  727,  Leo 
the  Greek  Emperor,  openly  protested.  In  the  porch 
of  his  palace  at  Constantinople,  had  been  erected  an 
image  of  Jesus  on  the  cross.  As  it  had  been  an  in- 
centive to  idolatry,  Leo  directed  that  it  should  be 
removed  ;  the  persoii  emploved  to  destroy  it  was 
murdered  by  the  devotees  of  the  unhallowed  simili- 
tude, and  Ihey  m  ho  were  punished  for  ihe  skuigliter 
of  the  officer,  are  to  this  day  honoured  by  the  Greeks 
as  Martyrs  !  This  event  produced  a  rupture  be- 
tween the  Emperor  and  the  Pope.  Leo  refused  all 
communion  with  Gregory  ;  and  the  latter  excommu- 
nicated all  the  contemners  of  Images. 

In  this  state  of  discord,  during  liity  years,  remained 
all  the  countries  where  Christianity  nominally  gov- 
erned. It  was  a  vigorous  contiict  between  the  de- 
vout adherents  of  the  worship  of  one  God,  and  the 
blind  partizans  of  an  open  acknowledgement  and  ho- 
nour of  Satan.  One  of  the  councils  thus  decided — 
"•Our  Saviour  hath  delivered  us  from  idolatry,  and 
hath  taught  us  to  adore  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 
But  the  Devil  hath  insensibly  brought  back  idolatry 
under  the  appearance  of  Christianity,  persuading  men 
to  worship  the  creature,  and  to  take  for  God  a  stone 
or  block  to  which  they  give  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.^' 
Nevertheless,  another  council  authorized  this  worshij^ 
of  the  work  of  men's  hands,  and  notwithstanding;  all 
the  imperial  authority  both  of  the  Greek  and  Ger- 
man Sovereigns,  so  influential  was  the  prevalence  of 
superstitition,  so  commanding  the  dignity  and  arro- 
gance, and  so  impressive  the  pretensions  to  ecclesi- 
astical superiority  and  veneration  in  the  Pope,  that 
although  another  very  numerous  council  expressed 


J28  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTOIIV.  LKCTUTC  VII. 

,their  abhorrence  of  this  derogation  oi' the  divine  su- 
premacy, it  extended  its  course  ;  until  every  species 
of  this  adoration  of  inferiors  triumphed  over  all  oppo- 
sition, and  became  commensurate  uiiii  the  civil 
boundaries  of  the  Church's  terrestiial  domain;  and 
with  the  exception  of  those  countries  purified  by  the 
unspeakably  august  Refor-nation,  the  lapse  of  a  thou- 
sand years  has  neither  changed  its  character,  nor  di- 
minished its  folly  and  corruption. 

From  these  doctrinal,  devotional,  and  practical 
disputations  combined,  to  which  may  be  added,  the 
boundless  ambition  of  tlie  Roman  PoniilT^  v.ith  the 
impetuous  resistance  of  the  Patriarch  of  Constantin- 
ople, may  be  derived  the  schism  between  the  eastern 
and  western  portions  of  the  church.  Equally  immers- 
ed in  darkness,  alike  intiaramatory  in  turbulence, 
unrestrained  by  evangelic  principle,  and  pursuing 
nothing  but  their  individual  aggrandizement;  it  is  not 
surprising  that  all  attempts  to  harmonize  such  repul- 
sive materials  as  these  ambitious  conflicting  Lords  of 
God's  heritage,  should  hitherto  have  been  in  vain; 
and  indeed  it  is  probably  preierable  for  the  world, 
that  the  Lord  in  his  wisdom  lias  permitted  these  arro- 
gant Pontiffs  and  their  shipid  adherents  to  exist  in  se- 
paration ;  as  by  that  means,  some  little  fervor,  and  a 
few  partial  gleams  of  light  have  occasionally  warined 
and  illumed  the  moral  hemisphere. 

IV.  Their  Depruvitif. 
It  would  be  improper  to  delineate  the  odious  and 
general  practices  of  the  ages  which  we  have  review- 
ed. The  llood-gales  of  iniquity  were  all  open,  and 
every  moral  restraint  was  completely  extirpated.  No 
surprise  can  be  excited  by  this  statement,  if  we  consi- 
der that  the  holy  commands  of  Christianity  were  no 
longer  enforced;  that  the  favour  of  God  was  under- 
stood to  be  a  privilege  wliich  could  be  obtained  only 
by  money  paid  to  the  CI  in  re;  h  officers:  that  every 
crime,  however  enormous,  was  expiated  by  the  Of- 
lender,  if  he  could  only  oOfer  (o  the  Pope,  or  to  the 
•Priest  who  absolved  him,  a  sum  equivalent  to  insati- 


GENTURICS    VII XV i.  129 

able  cupidity  ;  and  that  the  Pontiflri  and  Patriarchs, 
through  ali  tiie  intermediate  grades  of  Eccicsiastics, 
to  the  Beih-inger,  with  the  Friars,  Monks  and  Nuns, 
a  few  only  cxcej)ted,  wallowed  in  all  the  impiety  of 
Atheistic  principle,  and  in  all  the  corruption  of  bes- 
tial licentiousness.  The  system  of  auricular  confes- 
sion ;  that  is,  the  obligation  imposed  upon  every  in- 
dividual above  puberty,  frequently  to  unfold  to  the 
Priest,  all  tlie  secrets  of  tiieir  hearts,  and  all  the  ac- 
tions of  their  lives,  placed  tlie  reputation,  the  safety, 
the  wealth,  and  the  mortal  existence  of  all  persons, 
at  the  o})tion  of  this  confidential  adviser  ;  and  lims 
unhesitatindy  elevated  him  into  that  superiority, 
which  precluded  all  opposition  to  his  commands,  and 
all  non-compliance  willi  his  wishes.  Hence,  he  had 
no  restraint  ibr  indulgence,  but  satiety:  and  the  most 
artful  of  all  the  manceavres  connected  with  this  most 
up.godly  maclii nation  was,  that  it  embodied  around 
him  a  constant  guard  for  his  defence  ;  for  they  not 
only  participated  in  liis  criminality,  but  were  coerced 
to  silence,  by  the  dread  of  their  own  secrets  being 
publicly  divulged.  From  the  constant  and  increas- 
ing operation  of  these  varied  evils,  the  world  be- 
came at  last  one  almost  umningled  mass  of  utter 
loathsomeness;  haviiig  grasped  the  larger  proportion 
of  the  wealth  of  society,  to  feed  their  voluptuous- 
ness ;  and  h;)ving  banished  all  the  virtue  possible, 
that  conscience  might  not  effectually  interpose,  and 
induce  their  degraded  adherents  to  resist  their  des- 
potic and  vitiating  authority  ;  the  ecclesiastical  or- 
ders had,  by  their  precept,  example,  connivance, 
commutation  of  sin,  and  their  diminution  of  the  sanc- 
tity and  supremacy  of  the  divine  law.  iiivolved  all 
persons  v.  itiiin  tlicir  ghostly  rule,  in  a  moral  disorder 
apparently  incurable,  and  in  almost  irremediable 
destruction.  Yet  it  appears  from  the  investigation 
of  the  liistory  of  the  dark  ages,  that  some  difference 
must  have  been  perceptible  between  the  Romans 
and  the  Greeks.  The  devotees  of  the  Latin  Usurper 
were  more  igaoranl.  vicious  and  shameless,  than  the 
R 


130  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LHCTUnE  Vli. 

Eastern  disciples;  yet.  the  rcconi  is  so  poinfullj 
disgusting  even  of  the  best  of  tlie  Monkisli  orders 
and  of  the  hierarchical  attendants,  that  the  prophet- 
ical delineation, llevelation  9:  20.  21,  has  been  lam- 
entably demonstrated  to  stand  verified  by  ail  ihe  nc- 
curaey  of  historical  facts ;  which  corroborates  the 
statement,  that  their  depravity  multiplied  in  energy, 
extent  and  diversity,  during  the  seven  centuries 
wjiich  elapsed,  until  the  third  angel  with  a  loud 
voice  proclaimed,  Revelation  14  :  9 — 11.  Yes,  IMar- 
tin  !  thou  Avast  commissioned  to  resound  that  dread 
denunciation,  and  to  reverberate  that  wondrous 
blast;  which  has  silenced  the  groans  of  purgatory, 
stCiir.i^.cd  the  tide  of  idolatrous  worship,  drawn  a 
vizor  over  Monkish  vitiosity.  and  promulged  the  tri- 
umphs of  redemption  throughout  the  civilized  world. 

"jF/y  abroad.,  thou  mighty  gospel^ 
Win  and  ccmquo',  never  cease  : 
May  thy  lasting  wide  dominion 
J'thdtiply  and  still  increase  ; 
Sway  thy  sceptre., 
Saviour,  all  the  world  around  V 

This  brief  revieiv  of  Christian  Prophecy^  demonstrates 
the  certainty  of  Divine  Revelation. 

On  this  invulnerable  argument  in  defence  of  the 
Gospel,  you  may  safely  venture  your  everlasting 
hope.  Sophistry  cannot  elude  its  truth,  denial  can- 
not weaken  its  validity,  and  Atheism  cannot  demolish 
its  force.  No  man  but  a  blind  Doubter  can  resist 
the  energy  of  that  conviction,  which  an  impartial  in- 
vestigation of  Scriptural  predictions  will  inevitably 
produce:  and  it  has  been  evinced  by  testimony  in- 
dubitable, that  belbre  a  being  endued  wilh  never- 
ending  rotional  powers  can  reject  Christianity,  he 
must  become  the  fool,  wliom  David  desciibes.  as 
saying  in  his  heart,  '•  there  is  no  God."  "  VV  hat  con- 
sol  ition  for  us  who  believe  !  Decorum,  probity, 
modesty  and  all  human  sensibilities  must  be  ejected, 
previous  to  the  renunciation  of  the  Gospel,  and  we 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI'.  131 

can  no  longer  be  men,  when  we  cease  to  be  Chris- 
tians." 

UanieFs  predictions  in  their  original  state,  are 
foiuid  in  a  tongue  which  has  ceased  to  be  spoken 
hy  any  nation  during  the  last  2000  years  ;  and  that 
the  prophecies  which  regard  Alexander  the  Grecian, 
the  acts  of  Antiochus,  the  death  of  Messiah,  the  sub- 
version of  Jerusalem,  the  desolation  of  Judea,  and 
the  consequent  dispersion  of  the  Jews  by  the  llo- 
muis,  were  all  scrupulously  fultiHed,  is  granted  by 
the  most  subtle,  acute,  and  dctcrniined  foes,  who 
ever  by  argument  opposed  the  revelation  of  God. 
But  to  escape  from  the  consequences  which  una- 
voidably result  from  this  admission,  they  most  pre- 
posterously contended,  in  defiance  of  testimony 
amounting  to  demonstration,  that  the  book  was  a 
figurative  history  of  past  occurrences,  not  the  ante- 
rior developemcnt  of  future  events. 

Thf  Greek  language,  which  through  the  conquests 
of  Alexander  had  been  extended  from  the  Mediter- 
ranean sea  to  the  Indian  Ocean,  very  soon  diminished 
in  its  purity  after  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment to  Constantinople  ;  and  it  has  been  gradually 
changing  its  external  form,  until  it  is  very  little  as- 
similated to  the  style  in  w  hich  the  Apostle  wrote  his 
visions  :  consequently,  that  the  "  Revelation  of  John" 
existed  before  Constantine  was  elevated  to  undis- 
puted possession  of  the  Roman  Empire,  is  as  mani- 
fest, as  that  the  past  is  necessarily  prior  to  the  future, 
as  the  splendours  of  a  meridian  sun,  or  the  existence 
of  Jehovah.  But  he  who  rejects  it,  and  this  is  the 
Oi.ly  mode  by  which  modern  infidelity  can  justity  his 
obdurate  expulsion  of  the  Gospel  ofCJhrist,  must  not 
impute  credulity  to  believers:  for  this  simulated  un- 
belief involves  miracles  of  magnitude  so  vast,  that 
no  Jew,  no  Theophilanthropist,  no  Deist,  no  Atheist, 
no  Devil,  ever  would  admit  them  to  be  credible. 

The  transmigration  of  the  Jev  s  across  the  Red  Sea; 
t  19  prostration  of  the  walls  of  'ericho,  at  the  blast 
of  the  ram's  horns;  the  temporary  suspension  of  the' 


J.)l:  ECCI,i:.SIASTirAL  IIISTOKY.  LLCTUTEVH. 

isolar  motion  at  t]i:^  commnnd  of  Joshua  ;  Elijairs  cha- 
riot of  fire;  the  life  infused  into  the  corpse  wtiich 
toucheti  Elisha's  remains  ;  the  existence  oi'Jonah  in- 
closed in  the  whale:  the  deliverance  of  Shadrach, 
Meshcch  and  Abodne^o  from  the  (laming  fiery  fur- 
nace ;  the  preservation  of  Daniel  in  the  Lion's  den; 
the  ili2:ht  otthe  fever  hy  the  distant  mandate  of  the 
Son  ot'God  ;  the  cessation  cf'tempestuous  winds,  and 
the  cessation  of  the  turbulent  waves  at  the  mer« 
somid  of  Jesus'  voice;  the  multiplication  ol'five  bar- 
ley loaves  and  two  small  Ikhes  v.  hich  felt  his  bene- 
diction into  a  super-abundance  of  ibod  for  several, 
thousands  of  men,  Avith  the  accompanying  multitudes 
of  women  and  children;  the  resuscitation  of  Lazarus 
from  the  sepulchre  in  which  he  had  during  tour  days 
been  deposited,  when  the  Master  commanded  ;  and 
the  results  of  his  own  resurrection — tlie  propagation 
of  the  Gospv*^!  by  twelve  fishermen,  without  money, 
talents  or  influence  ;  its  subsequent  establishment 
throughout  the  earth,  not  ojsly  without  any  species 
of  human  aid,  but  in  direct  opposition  to  all  the  cun- 
ning, hatred,  learning,  malice,  power  and  persecu- 
tions wliich  earth  and  hell  confederated,  could  in- 
cessantly arm  for  its  destruction  ;  and  its  daily  in- 
creasing stability  in  defiance  of  everj  machination 
which  its  enemies  can  contrive  or  execute — these 
are  the  most  stupendous  actions  which  we  are  com- 
manded to  believe  ;  but  when  contrasted  with  the 
wonders  which  Atheism  enjoins  us  to  credit,  they 
appear  but  ordinary  facts  which  admit  neither  ofsu?- 
picion  nor  contradiction. 

He  who  denies  the  gospel  of  Christ  to  be  a  revela- 
tion from  heaven,  believes  with  a  myriad  of  impossi- 
bilities not  less  irrational  ;  tiiat  every  man  of  all  gen- 
erations has  conspii'cd  to  deceive  him,  that  the 
S(Misibilities  of  his  own  heart  are  a  vile  delusion, 
that  the  w  onderful  phenomena  of  creation,  the  har- 
monious regularity  of  the  annual  seasons,  the  compli- 
cated machinery  of  the  general  system,  and  the  un- 
rivalled  minuteness  of  meclianism  which  his  own 


CENTURIES    Ml XVI.  1  3S 

frame  discloses,  all  are  fortuitous,  that  his  intellectual 
powers  are  incurable  blindness,  that  all  things  ori- 
ginated and  are  sustained  by  nothing,  and  that  the 
universe  commenced  and  will  terminate  in  non-entitj. 
O!  pity  him,  he  is  infatuated!  O  pray  for  him,  he 
is  already  condemned !  O  strive  to  enlighten  him, 
for  the  wrath  of  God  abidelh  upon  him  ! 

As  it  is  self  evident,  that  no  finite  mind  can  possi- 
bly comprehend  all  the  past;  it  is  equally  obvious, 
(hat  it  cannot  divine  the  future.  But  Daniel  and 
John  depicted  the  most  important  events  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  moral  and  Christian  world,  many  hun- 
dreds of  years  previous  to  their  completion.  There- 
fore, the  sacred  volume  is  irreversible  truth  revealed 
by  the  Supreme:  audit  is  our  paramount  duty  to 
believe  its  principles  and  to  obey  its  injunctions. 

Fathers ;  are  you  solicitous  that  your  sons  should 
bless  and  support  you,  honour  their  country,  adorn 
the  church,  and  die  shouting,  Hallelujah?  Mothers! 
are  you  anxious  that  your  daughters  should  emulate 
every  noble  example,  and  exhibit  every  feminine 
excellence  on  earth,  previous  to  their  admission  into 
heavejily  bliss  ?  Enforce  upon  them  the  study  of  the 
scriptures.  Are  you  men  ?  O  send  abroad  the  light 
and  the  truth  !  Are  you  Patriots  .^  Help  to  resound 
the  Jubilee  trump.  Are  you.  American-citizens  f 
Remember  the  God  of  your  fathers,  and  divulge  the 
knowledge  of  his  wonderful  works.  Are  you  Philan- 
throphists  ?  Point  your  blind  neighbour  to  the  light, 
your  vicious  acquaintance  to  virtue's  path,  and  your 
endangered  friend  to  the  Ark  of  safety. 

Are  you  Christians }  Look !  there  they  march, 
hosts  innumerable  to  misery  everlasting :  in  your 
hands  is  an  impassable  barrier,  which  has  effectually 
opposed  the  progress  of  myriads  who  are  now  a- 
round  the  throne  of  God  in  ineffable  happiness.  Are 
you  Christians  ?  you  diily  experience  peace,  through 
the  operation  of  evangelical  faith  and  hope;  and  you 
iinally  anticipate,  that  when  you  walk  through  the 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  yop  shall  fear  no  evil. 


134  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  All. 

because  the  Lord  shall  be  with  you,  and  his  rod  and 
staff  shall  comlbrt  you  :  behold  !  the  vast  majority 
of  the  human  family,  your  neighbours,  your  friends, 
hastening  to  the  period  when  the  x\ngcl  of  Futurity 
shall  knock  at  the  door,  and  Death  shall  deliver  the 
summons,  "  Set  thy  house  in  order,  thou  shalt  die 
and  not  live,"  with  no  vital  apprehension  that  the 
day  will  ever  arrive.  Are  you  Christians  ?  you  have 
extended  your  vision  into  eternal  things  ;  you  have 
endeavoured  to  realize  that  inexpressibly  eventful 
morn,  when  the  Archangel's  trump  shall  revivily  the 
dead  to  never-ending  existence ;  when  Preachers  and 
Congregations,  Husbands  and  Wives,  Parents  and 
Children,  Relatives  and  Friends,  shall  stand  on  the 
brink  of  the  same  grave,  awaiting  the  Son  of  Man, 
ivho,  in  his  glory,  with  all  his  holy  angels,  shall  then 
pronounce  the  interminable  doom  of  every  child  of 
Adam  :  and  you  have  prefigured — no  !  you  were 
lost  in  attempting  to  delineate  the  very  faintest  view 
of  that  felicity  which  the  righteous  shall  enjoy  in 
"  the  kingdom  prepared  for  them  from  the  foundation 
of  the  world." 

This  is  your  "  light  to  life — the  glorious  gospel  of 
the  ever  blessed  God." 


Ths  Jlpocalyptical prophecies  respecting  the  Latin  Church. 


The  liistory  of  the  Roman  Church  includes  during 
several  centuries,  almost  all  the  records  of  nations  ; 
at  least,  all  the  most  interesting  and  prominent  fea- 
tures and  actions  of  the  human  family.  In  all  their 
grand  distinctive  qualities,  the  Latin  and  Greek 
Churches  have  ever  remained  identical  :  they-  idol- 
atry and  superstition,  ignorance,  servility  to  their 
Hierarchs,  and  llieir  monastic  institutions,  notwith- 
standing the  Latins  were  <he  most  debased  and  cor- 
rupt, proclaim  them  though  widely  separated'through 
extraneous  circumstances,  twin  children  of  the  same 
"Man  of  Sin."  But  to  the  Latin  Church  is  devoted 
nearly  the  whole  of  the  divine  predictions  recorded 
in  the  Apocalypse  :  hence  a  more  enlarged  examina- 
tion of  her  annals  is  requisite  ;  and  the  connection 
between  Papal  institutions  and  even  all  our  modern 
customs  and  observances,  renders  the  scrutiny  equal- 
ly indispensable  and  instructive.  Preparatory  how- 
ever, to  a  systematic  iJlustration  of  the  primary  char- 
acteristics of  tiiat  "  son  of  perdition,  who  opposeth 
and  exalteth  himself  above  all  that  is  called  God,  or 
that  is  w^orshipped  ;  so  that  he  as  God  sitteth  in  the 
temple  of  God,  shewing  himself  that  he  is  God  ;"  a 
brief  recapitulation  both  of  the  successive  events,' 
and  of  the  prophecies,  may  not  be  superiluous  or 
imnccessary. 

A  review^  of  God's  dealings  v.ilh  mankind,  in  his 
providential  government  of  the  world,  when  conduct- 
ed by  the  light  of  the  sacred  records,  and  in  a  hum- 
ble and  devotional  spirit,  cannot  fail  to  insruct  the 
mind  and  meliorate  the  heart :  but  as  the  various  ge- 
nerations of  the  human  family  are  indissolubly  conca- 
tenated in  their  nature,  duties  and  destiny,  it  is  equal- 
ly necessary  to  scrutinize  the  page  of  prophecy,  as 


130  EGCLESlASTiCAL    HISTORY,  l.ECTLKE  V  MI. 

the  volume  of  history.  To  tlic  performance  ci  this 
duty,  the  "-Prince  of  the  Kings  of  the  ciirth"  has  an- 
nexed his  benediction,  at  the  commencetnent  ol"  ihe 
Apocalypse,  which  was  revealed  expro.^-sy  to  d  ui- 
oastiate  the  certainty  of  the  Divine  Oracles,  by  pre- 
figuring the  annals  of  the  Chin-ch,  aud  to  proclaim 
ihe  glorious  millennial  era,  which  at  the  appoi'ited 
lime  shall  felicitate  the  sons  oi"  Adam.  "  Blessed  is 
he  tiiat  readeth  and  they  who  hear  the  words  of  this 
j)rophecy,  and  keep  those  things  which  are  wriUen 
(herein." 

Weiiave  already  investigated  some  of  the  most  im- 
pressive scenes  during  the  lapse  of  those  centuries, 
when  the  Christian  community  ncminrdiy  <  onsliiuted 
but  one  body ;  and  we  have  realized  that  by  the  tri- 
umphs of  Constantine,  the  Gospel  became  the  au- 
thoritatively established  religion  in  every  part  of  tlie 
Roman  empire. 

At  this  era,  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  were  gener- 
ally uncorrupted  and  the  church  comparatively  pure. 
But  when  persecution  ceased,  the  spirituality  of 
the  Christian  was  lost  in  a  worldly  temper ;  the  fer- 
vour of  devotion  evaporated  in  external  forms,  and  a 
variety  of  superstitions  was  speedily  propagated. 
Veneration  for  departed  saints,  trie  worship  of  ima- 
ges and  relics,  and  the  celibacy  of  Priests,  deplora- 
bly eclipsed  the  lustre,  and  infected  the  very  esseiice 
of"  pure  and  undefiled  religion.'' 

The  ministers  of  the  church,  who,  previous  toCon- 
stantine's  succession  to  unlimited  power,  with  some 
exceptions,  had  gradually  been  losing  their  parity 
of  rank  and  influence,  were  now  placed  at  vast  dis- 
tances. The  Bishops  of  Rome  and  Co!istaninopIe 
opposed  each  others  pretensions  to  the  higjiest  digni- 
ty with  the  most  infernal  pertinacity;  while  the  infe- 
rior clergy  ranged  themselves  under  either  baiuier  ; 
and  thus  originated  the  controversy  which  eventually 
divided  the  professing  Christians  into  the  Latin  and 
Greek  churches  :  and  by  the  declining  power  and 
growing  indolence  ofthe  Emperors,  these  twoBishop« 


CENlOKIilS    Vll X\  i.  137 

j\italiied  imboundcd  control.  These  abuses  gradiial- 
\y  increased  in  their  niiniber  and  potency,  throughouj; 
(he  whole  of  the  Iburtii,  fifth  and  sixth  centuries,  un- 
til thesimpliciij  of  reiigious  worship  was  irretrieva- 
blv  banished,  the  purity  of  divine  truth  was  contam- 
niiaaled  Avith  a  mixture  of  devilish  hiveutions,  wliicii 
augmented  in  proportion  to  their  continua,nce ;  and 
tlie  human  mind  was  enchained  in  that  consummate 
vassalage,  from  vv^hich  it  has  never  yet  recovered. 

The  coniuicinccment  of  the  seventh  century  belield 
tiie  evolution  of  tiie  Mohammedan  imposture,  and 
the  establisiuiient  of  tlie  Papal  supremacy.  Of  the 
fiomish  church  during  the  d-rrk  ages;  the  following 
are  striking  characteristics.  The  interminable  mul- 
tiplication of  the  most  preposterous  riles  and  cere- 
monies ;  the  accessioii  of  temporal  power  to  tlie 
Pope's  spiritual  jurisdiction  ;  the  chivalric  derarpe- 
ment  wliicli  depopulated  Europe,  that  the  land  of 
Canaan  might  be  rescued  from  the  Mohammedaiis, 
but  which  directly  produced  the  fulfilment  of  pro- 
phecy respecting  the  Turks;  the  increase  of  the  or- 
ders devoted  to  celibacy,  by  which  the  nations  were 
prodigiously  weakened  and  vice  inconceivably  ad- 
vanced;  the  absurdities  of  transubstantiation.  which 
egregiously  consolidated  the  power  of  the  Pope  ;  tlie 
practice  of  selling  indulgences,  and  pardon  for  eve- 
ry sin,  past,  present  or  future,  provided  money  sufii- 
eient  was  paid  for  absolution;  by  which  the  people 
were  unspeakably  robbed,  and  the  church-officers 
proportionably  aggrandized  :  the  exaltation  of  tlie 
**man  of  sin"  to-  the  uncontrolled  government  of  the 
universe,  by  disposing  of  temporal  autliorilies,  by 
dispensing  with  the  obligations  of  the  oath,  bv  trans- 
forming the  nature  of  morality,  by  substituting  tlie 
most  aggravated  crimes  for  the  most  august  virtues, 
and  by  preteiiding  to  abolish  the  everlasting  punish- 
went  which  God  has  denounced  against  the  impeni- 
tent perpetrators  of  iniquity;  and  the  incessantly 
malignant  persecutions ;  ibr  Rome  Papal  has  murder- 
ed indefinitely  more  (?hnsti;;ny  than  (he  Pagan  per- 


133  ECCLL^IASTICAL  HISTORY- 


LECTURE  VIM. 


secutoi-s,  ohpeciiillv  by  that  vilest  of  al!  abomiiKilions 
the  iiUjuiBilioi!,  w  liicji  through  a  long  succession  of 
ages  derilroved  myriads  of  those  wiliiesses,  who  in 
sackcloth  coniiaued  to  j)rop!iccy  on  behalf  of  their 
crucified  Loid. 

When  the  nations  oi  ICurope  appeared  to  be  over- 
whohned  in  darkness  irremediable,  several  mostim- 
prob.ilde  events  combined  their  iniluence  to  dispel 
the  gloom  vvhicli  had  so  long  enveloped  them.  Those 
crustaders  who  returned  from  the  Asiatic  military  ex- 
peditions imbibed  a  considerable  degree  of  know  ledge 
during  their  absence  ;  for  in  Greece,  through  which 
the  barbiriaEi  Fanatics  passed,  the  arts  and  sciences, 
with  a  measure  of  li  eiary  information  extensively 
superior  to  that  which  was  possessed  by  the  Monkish 
orders  within  the  coiifines  of  the  Latin  church,  still 
subsisted;  and  from  the  taste  which  they  acquired, 
a  vast  Hood  of  liglit  speedily  issuing  from  the  Italian 
Poets  and  Artists,  introduced  the  revival  of  literature; 
the  overthrow  of  the  Constantinopoiitan  empire  ban- 
ished prodigious  numbers  of  the  Greek  Christians, 
and  scattered  them  throughout  the  various  countries 
of  Europe  :  the  invention  of  printing  multiplied  books, 
which  before  had  been  coidined  to  the  monasteries ; 
and  thus  rendered  every  species  of  knowledge  easy 
of  acquisition  :  the  discovery  of  the  Portuguese  and 
the  adventurous  spirit  of  Colunibus,  which  unfolded 
to  astonished  Europe  a  new  world,  gave  a  spring  to 
I)uman  exertions,  and  infused  a  spirit  of  indepen- 
dence among  all  descriptions  of  characters;  and  the 
supine  incrnution,  the  boundless  extravagance,  the 
daring  licentiousness,  and  the  audacious  extortions 
of  the  Popes  and  their  depeiulard  ecclesiastics  con- 
ir^.iderably  euiaiuipated  many  of  (he  nations  from  their 
disoracelid  and  tremendous  thiraldom. 

At  lenglh  by  the  goodness  of  Providence,  JVIartin 
Luther  was  elevated  to  imperishable  fame.  His  vir- 
tues, genius,  learning,  boldness,  inllexibility  and  per- 
severance, by  the  assistance  of  Heaven,  surmouivted 
and  demolished  the  intreiichments  which  inclosed 


i  all  thte  embatiled  hosts  oftho  Papacy,  nnd  establish- 
ed the  magnilicerit  Reformaiion  upon  a  basis  hiti:er- 
to  immovable.  His  co-aiijutors  who  survived  him, 
enlarfijed  the  scene  of  his  la!)ours,  and  Zuinglius,  Cal- 
vin, Cranmer,  Knox,  and  the  Puritans,  resuscitated 
the  Gospel  from  the  grave  cf  tradition,  divine  "wor- 
ship in  spirit  and  in  truth"'  from  tha  sepulchre  ofcer- 
emonial  observances,  llie  Christian  character  from 
the  death-like  oblivion  in  which  it  had  been  so  long 
incarcerated,  and  Messiah's  cijurchirom  the  degra- 
dation and  torpor  in  which  during  several  centuries 
it  had  been  entombed.  Since  that  period  300  years 
have  nearly  elapsed.  Though  dispossessed  of  some  of 
its  most  terrific  features;  jet  tJie  character  of  that 
bloody  bigot  Mary,  the  savage  barbarity  of  the  Gui- 
ses, the  unrelenting  and  execrably  inhuman  temper 
of  Charles  IX,  the  martyrdoms  occasioned  by  the 
Duke  of  Alva,  the  deluges  of  Protestant  blood  which 
have  overflowed  Spain,  Portugal,  Italy  and  France, 
the  horrors  commanded  by  Louis  XlV,  with  other 
memorable  instances  in  modern  history,  all  demons- 
trate that  the  spirit  of  Popery  is  the  same  in  every 
age,  and  that  when  the  destined  period  shall  arrive, 
similar  desolations  will  be  experienced  throughout 
the  ten  Kingdoms,  by  the  witnesses  who  shall  ''  die 
in  the  Lord." 

"There  appeared  a  great  wonder  in  heaven,  a 
Woman  clothed  with  the  sim,  the  moon  under  her 
feet,  and  upon  her  head  a  crown  of  twelve  str^.rs;"' 
she  was  the  Christian  church,  shiriing  in  the  splen- 
dour of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  superior  to  the 
Mosaic  dispcns:ition,  transported  above  subhjnary 
enjoyments,  and  decorated  w  ills  Apostolic  doctrines. 
During  the  period  of  her  travail  from  tlie  day  of  Pen- 
tecost until  the  demoiiiion  by  Conslanline,  "a  great 
red  dragon  with  seven  heads  and  ten  horns  and  seven 
crowns  upon  his  heads,  wh.o  drew  the  third  part  of 
the  stars  of  heaven  and  cast  them  unto  the  earth,'' 
stood  ready  to  devour  the  woman's  child,  avowed 
and  consistent  believers.     That  the  seven  crowns 


140  F,C(-Li:.SIASTiCAL    Ill?TOKY.  I  iXnullL  VI!  I. 

vvore  upon  his  heads,  and  not  ten  crowM?;  upon  him 
horns,  evitlciiccy,  that  tlie  Roiunn  imperial  govern- 
ment, not  the  kinj>;s  of^he  Euro])en.n  nations,  was  in- 
tended;  and  denotes  th(;  situatjon  oi'lhe  rhiircl)  un- 
der Pagan  Rome.  But  previous  to  the  d<'iivcrance 
of  the  Ciiristinns  from  persecution  l>v  victorious 
Consiantlnc.  the  war  of  Mi-chacl  and  the  Drap;on  in- 
terposed. This  si.ojnifies  the  veh.ement  exertions 
Av!iit:h  the  Pagans  mride  against  the  establishment 
of  Ciiristianity.  Tlie  Devil  after  a^coiitest  of  nearly 
300  years  was  final! j  overt hrowu;  for  the  blood  of 
Christ  and  the  doctrines  of  the  cross,  by  the  testimo- 
ny of  them.,  "Avho  loved  not  their  own  lives  unto  the 
death,"  vanquished  every  hellish  machination,  and 
-the  heavens  rejoiced. 

When  the  Drag-on  was  ca^t  U:ilo  tiie  earth,  he  pci-- 
secuted  tlie  woman,  the  church;  and  this  designate^ 
the  continual  attempts  which  were  formed  and  execu- 
ted, after  the  age  of  Constantino,  to  subvert  the  Gos- 
pel and  to  restore  the  ancient  irreligion.  Durini-; 
these  "occurrences,  (he  woman  received  wings,  hy 
wjiich  at  the  appointed  time,  she  might  fly  into  ih.<.- 
wilderness  during  the  1200  yenrs.  Tlie  serpent  the  , 
endeavoured  to  destroy  her  by  a  flood  of  water,  tUc 
irruptions  of  the  Northern- Barbarians;  wliich  tlse 
surviving  Pagans  stedf>stly  and  strenuously  encou- 
raged*, hoping  that  Messiah's  rcligio»i  would  perish 
in  the  commotions.  Nev^^rtheless,  "  the  earth  helped 
the  woman  and  swallowed  up  tlie  (lood  ;"  for  the  va- 
rious nations  which  desolated  the  Roman  empire 
became  nominal  Christians.  Thus  discomfited,  the 
Dragon  in  his  wratli  went  to  ''make  war  with  the 
remnant  of  her  seed,"  those  who  submitted  not  to 
the  a))surdities,  superstitions,  nv.d  pollutions  of  Po- 
pery, and  '•  who  keep  tlie  commandments  of  God,  and 
t'je  testim.ony  of  Jesus  Christ." 

The  beast  with  seven  heads  aiid  ten  horns,  now 
appears  with  crowns  on  his  horns,  and  this  alteration 
from  the  seven  crowns  ofi  his  heads  to  the  ten  crowns 
on  his  horns,  declares  tlie  change  which  resulted 
fiom  the  extirpation  of  (he  imperial  authority. 


TEiNTURlES    VII. XVI.  14  i 

Trie  ten  horns  are  all  the  present  kijigdoms  ofEu- 
iope;  iiusHia,  Scandivinin,  and  Greece  only  except- 
ed :  and  iVom  (heir  origin  to  the  present  day,  this  part 
©I'the  Rqinan  empire  notwithstanding  numberless  tu- 
mults, vicissitudes  and  revolutions,  has  generally  re- 
mained when  in  a  settled  condition,  in  ten  distinct 
indepeiidciit  sovereignties;  whicli  decidedly  inti- 
mates, that  whatever  modifications  or  external  cha- 
racteristics th?y  may  yet  exhibit,  they  shall  contiiiuc 
in  number,  ten,  and  are  the  Horns  which  shall  tail 
with  the  Beast. 

.  This  beast  was  a  leopard  for  fierceness,  a  bear  in 
cruelty,  and  as  a  lion  terrific.  The  sixth  head  was 
wounded  in  the  overthrow  of  the  Imperial  power: 
but  revived  in  Charlemagne,  v/no  established  the 
Holy  Roman  empire;  and  by  this  association  of  the 
s^ecular  authority  with  the  Papal  spiritual  supremacy, 
the  nations  v.'Pre  all  reduced  to  submission  and  wor- 
shipped the  beast,  supposing  his  power  irresistible. 
Daniel  and  John  agree  ,  that  he  should  speak  great 
things;  he  claimed  to  be  God  of  Gods,  and  God  upon 
earth,  and  the  duration  of  his  authority  is  fixed  for 
1260  years.  The  Papal  Church  has  blasphemed  God: 
his  name,  his  tabernacle;  by  substituting  image  wor- 
ship in  the  house  of  prayer  and  by  murdering  his 
saints,  as  heretics  ;  and  "them  that  dwell  in  heaven," 
by  the  imputation  of  the  most  ridiculous  actions,  and 
by  sacrilegious  devotion.  He  \vas  to  make  war  with 
the  saints  and  to  overcome  them;  all  computation 
fails  to  ascertain  the  numbers  of  those,  who  for  deny- 
ing the  Papal  dominion  and  doctrines,  have  been 
mercilessly  tortured  by  this  savage  unrelenting  Beast; 
and  his  power  extended  over  all  countries,  tongues 
and  nations,  and  "  all  those  whose  names  are  not 
written  in  the  book  of  life  of  the  Lamb  slain  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  worhsip  him." 

-Before  this,  horn,  three  of  the  ten  horns  were  to 
tall;  and  accordingly,  previous  to  the  elevation,  of 
the  Pope  to  temporal  authority,  through  the  sanction 

which  the  Holy  Father  gave  to  the  usurpations  of  the 


142  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LKCTURE  Xll'l. 

sanguinary  Phocas;  he  became  master  of  the  Gothic 
kingdom  which  had  been  primarily  established  in 
Rome  and  its  vicinity. 

Another  beast  arose,  which  had  "  two  horns,  hke  a 
)amb,  bnt  speaking  as  a  dragon."     This  is  the  two 
bodies  of  ecclesiastics  who  in  all  generations  have 
been  the  principal  support  of  the  Pope's  devilish 
sorceries  :  for  they  have  exercised  the  consummate 
power  of  the  first  Beast,  spread  themselves  into  eve- 
ry country,  subjected  by  their  arts  and  menaces  all 
people,  and  forced  them  to  adore  the  "  son  of  perdi- 
tion."    Daniel's  little  horn  and  this  two  horned  beast 
are  similarly  described.     '•  He  doth  great  wonders ;" 
the  pretended  miracles  of  the  Apostates  :  "  he  mak- 
eth  fire  come  down  from  heaven  upon  cnrth  in  the 
sight  of  men,"  the  bulls  and  ipxcommunications  wliich 
regularly  issued  from  the  Vatican  against  all  those 
who  dared  to  oppose  the  authority  of  '•  him  whose 
coming  is  after  the  working  of  Satan."     By  these 
simulated  wonders,  men  were  deceived  ;  and  he  was 
to  '•  make  an  image  to  the  first  beast  ;"  this  image 
Was  either  the  Pope,  to  whom  the  Cardinals  gave 
life  aiid  ability  to  speak,  who  as  a  temporal  Prince 
represents  the  ancient  Emperors,  and  as  the  infalH- 
ble  Head  of  tlie  church  is  the  great  Papistical  Idol ; 
and  in  both  respects  is  now  the  chief  of  the  whole 
7\nti-christian  tyranny  :  or  it  may  include  the  impious 
abominations,  which  their  chimerical  devotions  so 
ostentatiously  display.     "  Those  who  will  not  wor- 
ship the  image  of  the  beast,  he  was  not  himself  to 
kill,  but  cause  to  be  killed  ;"  the  Papal  Priests  never 
absolutely  destroyed  their  opponents,  but  delivered 
the  witnesses  to  the  Magistrate  who  was  colleagued 
with  them,  and   completely  under  their  dominion, 
that  they  might  be  murdered  by  the  secular  arm. 
"All  men  were  marked  in  their  right  hand  and  their 
foreheads  ;  and  no  man  might  buy  or  sell,  save  he 
who  had  tiio  mark,"  or  his  name,  or  the  number  of  the 
name  of  the  beast ;  they  must  bow  to  the  idolatries 
and   superstitions   of  the  church  of  Rome,  whoso 


GJENTURIES    VII. XVI.  14'3 

lanrk  is  the  cross,  the  cause  of  the  most  infernal  cru- 
dities and  the  most  childish  superstitions,  and  uhich 
is  without  cessation  applied  by  every  ridiculous  vo- 
tary, to  his  hand,  his  activity  in  supporting  the  throne 
of  iniquity,  and  to  his  forehead,  his  subjection  to  this 
tyrannical  compound  of  unholy  power  ;  and  all  in- 
tercourse with  the  enemies  of  the  Pope  and  his  clergy 
was  strictly  prohibited.  The  beasts  name  is  speci- 
iied  666  :  it  is  the  name  of  the  first  beast ;  of  the  ten 
horned  beast ;  of  a  man  :  it  is  the  name  with  the 
mark:  and  of  every  individual  in  the  empire.  These 
properties  combined  meet  in  the  word  Latinus  only; 
and  consequently  fixes  it  upon  that  Church. 

The  Apostle  depicts  the  character  of  them  v.  ho  in 
all  ages  should  oppose  the  Papal  authority  and  su- 
premacy, and  "  follow  tlie  Lamb  whithersoever  he 
goeth."  Three  Angels  then  arise  in  succession,  one 
tiies  in  the  midst  of  heaven  with  the  everlasting  Gos- 
pel— the  Waldenses  and  Albigenses ;  the  second  An- 
gel followed  crying,  "  Babylon  is  fallen ;"  the  Bohe- 
mians and  others  who  after  the  former  witnesses  w  ere 
nearly  or  totally  slain,  more  plainly  and  boldly  pro- 
claimed the  wrath  of  God  against  the  persecutors  of 
the  saints;  and  the  third  Angel  thundered  with  in- 
creased vehemence,  and  with  augmented  wo  in  his 
denunciations  ;  Luther,  Zuinglius.  Cranmer  and 
Knox,  with  their  co-adjutors  and  successors  to  the 
present  period,  who  shall  not  cease  to  protest  against 
the  infernally  erroneous  principles  and  practices  of 
the  Latin  Hierarchy,  until  the  last  witness  is  mur- 
dered. 

Living  nearer  the  era,  and  when  the  prophecy  could 
iiot  be  so  lucidly  expounded,  the  Waldenses  and  Al- 
bigenses more  mildly  but  with  equal  resolution,  pro- 
mulged  evangelical  truth.  When  "  the  mystery  of 
iniquity"  had  arrived  at  its  acme,  and  the  character 
of  the  "man  of  sin"  was  more  clearly  developed,  the 
language  of  vaticination  was  used  with  more  certain- 
ty, and  the  opposition  of  the  Bohemians,  Huss  and 
Jerome,  was  marked  with  a  mere  decided  abhorre-nce. 


144  ECCLESIASTICAL  HlSi©RV.  l.LCilKE  VIJl. 

Bill  LuUier  and  his  descendants  have  hern  more  de- 
termined in  tlieir  protestations,  more  ur£cnt  in  tlieir 
iinportunity,  more  distinct  in  their  aj)j>iiealion  of 
these  predicti6i]6  to  the  Papacy,  and  liioic  >v\vvv, 
in  the  judgments  which  they  have  dencnnced. 

John  evidently  concUiJes  the  testimony  of  the 
Reformers  ;  he  calls  them  tb*"^*"  patience  to  keep  (lie 
commandments  of  God  and  the  faith  of  Jesus  ;"  ai;d 
encourages  them  to  persevere  by  the  assurance,  ilmi 
'••  Blessed  arc  the  dead  who  die  in  ihe  Lord.' 

The  predictions  respecting  the  three  Angels  in  the 
fourleentli  chapter  of  Revelations,  and  that  concern- 
ing the  two  witnesses,  ])rophesying'''a  thousand  two 
hundred  and  threescore  days,  clothed  in  sackcloih'" 
demand  additional  elucidation.  J^ut  a  cloud  impene- 
trable overshades  the  precise  epocha  when  the  12-^0 
years  commenced.  Prophecy  evinces,  that  the  Mo- 
hammedan apostacy  will  close  before  Popery  shall  ex- 
pire; though  their  decease  will  be  in  swift  progression; 
and  that  tlie  end  of  their  duration  is  not  immediately 
to  be  anticipated.  Speedily  after  the  absolute  domi- 
nion of"  the  Man  of  Sin,"  the  witnesses  began  to  ex- 
ist ;  but  the  Pope's  primitive  antagonists  were  the 
first  Angel,  the  Waldenses;  who  arose  not  prior  (o 
the  year  (566,  when  the  Papal  suprenic^cy  was  gene- 
rally acknowledged :  for  some  of  the  horns  lon^g  re- 
sisted the  power  which  lie  claimed  ;  but  by  secessioii 
from  the  Latin  church,  the  primary  witnesses  conse- 
quently opposed  her  errors  and  growing  enonnities. 
Ample  evidence  exists,  that  nearly  at  the  same 
period  when  the  beast  began  to  reign,  the  witnesses 
in  sackcloth  commenced  their  prophesying  in  opposi- 
tion. 

it  has  already  been  noticed,  that  in  (he  eighth 
century  the  Greek  dissented  from  the  liatin  church  ; 
and  the  principal  topics  which  constituted  (he  basis 
of  contest  between  the  Papid  Hierarchy  and  r-lie  fol- 
lowers of  the  Lamb,  "•  as  many  as  wouhl  not  worship 
tlie  image  of  the  Beast,"  must  be  succinctly  deline- 
ated. 


fENTURIM    VH XV J.  145 

1.  7ne  ^oorsJiip  of  imay^es. — In  the  eighth  centurj, 
tlie  Greek  Emperors  most  eiiergeticallj  opposed  the 
devotions  ollered  before  the  statues,  the  intercession 
of  the  saints,  and  the  suppositious  sanctity  of  the 
rehcs;  and  a  succession  of  witnesses  constantly 
protested  against  this  derogation  from  the  divine 
majesty  and  honour. 

2.  The  supreniacii  of  the  Pope  was  another  topic 
which  excited  severe  contest :  but  it  seems  never  to 
have  been  universally  tolerated  throughout  the  ten 
horns  of  the  Beast,  until  Gregory,  whose  name  liil- 
debrand  was  most  appropriately  transformed  by  the 
sincere  Christians  inlo  Hell-Brand,  claimed,  exercis- 
ed, and  by  every  species  of  tyrannical  violence,  ti- 
nally  usurped  and  obtained,  either  a  voluntary  or  a 
tacit  subjection  to  his  illimitable  authority 

3.  Transuhstantiation. — This  most  absurd  of  all  pal- 
pable and  sensible  contradictions  for  along  time  re- 
ceived every  variety  of  resistance  ;  but  ignorance  fi-^ 
j»ally  triumphed :  and  the  worship  of  the  host,  the 
canon  of  the  mass  transformed  the  wafer  into  the 
identical  flesh  and  blood  of  the  Redeemer  of  man- 
kir.d. 

4.  Penancs  and Pur<rcJor^.— These  were  the  genuine 
oflfspriiicr  of  Snperstition  and  Blindness.  Submission 
to  a  Monk's  prescribed  mortifications,  opened  the 
road  to  invisible  tortures  rind  expiatory  sufferings,  of 
which  the  Pope  held  the  Key,  and  which  his  inferior 
Delegates  were  authorised  to  turn,  that  departed 
souls  might  be  transmitted  to  heaven.  This  most 
detestable  and  gainful  of  all  traffics,  in  its  proi^i  es- 
sive  influence  impoverished  the  nations  by  draining 
their  wealth,  and  stultified  the  people  by  covering 
them  with  a  thick  darkness,  impervious,  gross  and 
tangible  as  that  of  Egypt. 

5.  CeUbacif. — The  unnatural  system  of  immuring  all 
the  flower  ot  the  human  family  in  convents  and  nun- 
neries, however  odious  and  abhorrent,  was  so  essen- 
tial a  part,  in  fact  so  indispensable  a  portion  of  the 
Romish  hierarchy,  that  it  could  not  have  existed  with- 

T 


146  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  VIII. 

out  its  prolongation.  By  the  active  influence  of  this 
anti-social  abomination  all  the  ligaments  of  society 
were  shivered,  and  the  whole  Romo.n  empire  was  di- 
vided into  two  classes  of  people;  a  band  of  adherents 
to  the  Papacy  whose  interest  it  was  to  support  its 
ghostly  despotism,  by  every  artifice  and  exertion; 
and  the  stupid,  debased,  senseless  multitudes, ''silly 
sheep  fleeced  ten  thousand  times  before  ;"  who  were 
continually  robbed  under  a  diversity  of  pretext? 
when  living,  and  whose  property  was  generally  gras- 
ped when  dead,  that  these  associated  voluptuaries 
might  in  indolence  riot  upon  the  spoils  of  industry, 
and  with  impurity  wallow  in  every  species  of  criminal 
iiidiiigence. 

It  is  not  now  necessary  to  enlarge  upon  these  to- 
pics, as  they  wil'  require  a  more  distinct  exposition, 
when  the  detailed  narrative  of  the  Roman  hierarchy 
duriiig  the  eight  centuries  from  the  year  666.  until 
th'^  lleformation  shall  occupy  our  attention.  In  eve- 
ry stage  of  this  period  however,  opponents  to  the 
c]:»wns  of  Rome  existed  :  they  were  widely  scattered, 
and  variously  denominated :  generally  they  were  cal- 
led Waldenses.  Alblgenses  and  Leonists  ;  and  in  the 
thirteenth  century  they  had  become  so  numerous; 
that  to  crush  the  Rebels  against  liim  who  was  seated 
'^  \i)  ihe  temple  of  God,  as  God,"  the  Inquisition  was 
estnblished  armed  with  all  the  power  that  Jesuitical 
cuMnlng,  Dominican  malevolence,  interested  energy, 
inlWrnil  cruelty.  Pontifical  sanction  and  incalculable 
numb'^rs  combined  could  impart,  and  in  the  deve- 
h  pi^iuent  and  in  the  exercise  of  their  uncontrolled 
authority  exhibiting  all  that  cold-blooded,  insensible 
malignity,  at  the  recollection  of  which  BarbariSTh 
i'-<!i  would  be  appalled,  and  which  nothing  but 
Christianity  could  have  sustained. 

1 .    What  is  Prophecy  ? 

God  alone  beholds  the  incidents  which  are  encir- 
cled in  the  womb  of  futurity  ;  for  he  ordy  who  arrang- 
ed ihemtbr  a  certain  on(\,  can  indubitably  perceive 
all  the  vicissitudes  and  revolutions  which  shall  agi- 


CENTUlRIES    Vri. XVL  147 

tate  the  universe.  Man  by  the  kn4)wledge  which  he 
has  obtained  concerning  the  general  laws  of  our 
globe,  may  foresee  some  physical  consequences,  as 
the  infallible  and  unvarying  result-  of  the  motions 
which  the  Creator  has  communicated  to  matter:  but 
that  which  depends  upon  uncontrolled  and  future 
combinations  is  impenetrable  to  finite  intelligence. 

That  principle  is  not  prophecy,  which  anticipates 
effects  proceeding  from  natural  and  necessary  agents 
that  were  destined  to  produce  them;  that  declares 
a  regular  suite  of  occurrences  by  external  signs,  the 
deduction  of  long  continued  experience,  in  which  the 
same  events  had  vrithout  mutation  been  similarly 
pre-signified  or  which  presages  certain  revolutions  in 
the  affairs  of  men,  from  the  universal  character  of  the 
species,  or  the  methodical  course  of  the  human  pas- 
sions, when  agitated  by  identical  causes  and  exercis- 
ed in  an  uniform  manner. 

Prophecy  is  the  unquestionable  intuition  of  future 
contingencies,  in  which  neither  the  anterior  determi- 
nation nor  the  preliminary  disposition  is  discovered. 
To  announce  the  birth  of  a  man  many  ages  before 
he  appeared  ;  to  declare  the  name  by  which  he 
should  be  known ;  to  detail  the  circumstances  and 
consequences  of  his  life  and  death;  and  to  predict 
actions  unprecedented  and  super-human;  vAien  every 
appearance  opposed  the  consummation,  is  prophecy: 
and  it  is  of  divine  origin,  for  man  cannot  acquire  it  by 
the  exercises  of  his  own  mind.  The  Father  of  Spirits 
may  gratuitously  impart  it  to  whom  he  pleases;  not 
that  he  raises  the  rational  powers  beyond  their  na- 
tural bounds  ;  but  he  communicates  that  which  must 
in  future  exist,  with  the  order  to  reveal  it ;  without 
displaying  the  connection  or  the  ground  of  the  won- 
ders which  he  had  directed  his  servant  to  disclose. 
The  genuine  Prophet  draws  nothing  from  himself;  he 
acts  not ;  he  merely  obeys  the  supei'nal  inspiration, 
and  retains  that  which  is  delivered  to  him;  that  he 
may  deliver  it  in  the  form  wljich  his  Master  comm^,u- 
ded. 


148  ECCLESIASTICAL  HltJTOHV.  LLCiaJKE  Vlil. 

2.  How  mijstcrious  the  dispensations  of  God  in  the  direc- 
tion of  his  church  ! 

After  the  review  of  (he  promineiit  scene?  and  charac- 
ters ol  this  period  we  are  always  disposed  to  inquire, 
why  did  the  Lord  permit  such  incliable  absurdities 
to  arise?  and  are  ecpudiy  astonished  when  we  rellect 
upon  their  predoniitnuue  and  protracted  duration. 
Tiie  fact  however  is  undeiiiable,  and  furnishes  an  ir- 
retVagable  attestation  to  the  humiliating  truths,  that 
man  by  nature  is  ever  prone  and  willing  to  depart 
i'rom  Jehovah,  and  that  Apollyon  is  emphatically 
the  God  of  this  world.  To  a  dispassionate  impartial 
Jutlge,  nothing  can  be  more  irresistibly  impressive, 
tiian  the  succession  of  events  to  which  our  ::ttentior) 
lias  already  been  directed.  .  The  w  hole  moral  world 
w\as  lying  in  wickedness  ;  and  with  the  exception  of 
Judea,  enveloped  in  im])ervious  clouds  of  black 
darkness:  to  disperse  the  wretched  gloom,  the  Sun 
of  Righteonsnesij  arose  with  healing  beneath  his 
Avings.  With  great  joy  the  people  saw  the  marvel- 
lous light:  but  a  conflict  arose  between  the  distuibers 
of  the  creation  of  God  and  the  s?ervants  of  the  Piince 
of  Peace.  During  21>()  years  the  contest  was  conti- 
nued ;  admitting  of  little  intermission  and  ordy  to  be 
decided  by  the  complete  overthrow  of  one  of  the 
Combatants.  On  the  .part  of  Satan  every  abomina- 
tion was  exhibited  towards  his  Antagonists;  the  car- 
nal weapons  were  sharpened  to  their  utmost  edge 
against  the  spiritual  armour,  and  in  the  battle,  myri- 
ads of  fmmanuel's  sheep  were  transferred  from  the 
cross  to  the  crown,  amid  ihe  most  excruciating  tor- 
ture; but  the  vision  was  tor  an  appointed  time,  and 
although  it  tarried,  they  waited  for  it  until  it  came. 
'•  The  sixth  seal  was  opened — the  great  earthcjuake 
occurred;  the  sun  became  black;  the  moon  became 
as  blood  ;  the  stars  of  heaven  lell ;  the  heavens  de- 
parted ;  every  mountain  and  island  were  moved;" 
and  all  orders  of  Satan's  troo])S  "  hid  themselves  in 
tlie  dens  and  rocks  of  the  mountains,  for  the  great 
day  of  liis  wrHth^'  came,  and  none  of  them  were 
'•  able  to  stand," 


CENTURIES    Vll. XVi.  149 

After  so  complete  a  demolition  of  the  ancient  idol- 
atry, the  consummate  exposure  of  its  unhallowed 
mysteries  and  authorised  corruption,  and  the  estab- 
lishment, bj  law  and  by  insuperable  force,  of  the  sub- 
limely "  pure  and  undeiiled  religion,  and  the  life  and 
immortality  brought  to  light  by  the  gospel" — com- 
bined with  the  triumphant  evangelical  Hosannas  of 
that  multitude  which  no  man  could  number — who 
could  have  supposed  that  Christianity  Avould  have 
been  metamorphosed  so  as  to  display  all  the  abhor-' 
rent  qualities  of  the  Bacchanalian  mythology  ? — yet' 
the  nations  governed  by  Papal  authority  were  scarce- 
ly more  evangelized  than  to  change  the  worship  of  & 
block  of  marble,  sculptured  and  denominated  Jupiter, 
lor  an  image  oi  the  Virgin  Mary,  or  of  an  imaginary 
disembodied  saint:  tq  this  astonishing  departure  from 
the  Gospel  must  be  added,  the  incorporation  of  the' 
most  sanguinary  feature  impressed  upon  the  idolatrous 
system;  tha.t  philanthropy  which  thegospel  so  earnest- 
ly and  continually  inculcates  as  the  grand  effect  and 
evidence  of  the  converting  grace  effused  by  the  ever 
blessed  Spirit,  was  absorbed  in  a  furious  malignity,  in- 
cessantly devouring ;  cruel  and  insatiable  as  the 
^rave.  At  the  approach  of  the  Papal  adherents,  all 
that  was  enlightened,  pure  and  devotional  disappear- 
ed ;  the  substance  of  evangelical  religion  vanished, 
and  in  its  stead,  scarcely  a  shadowy  similitude  re- 
mained. The  whole  fabric  called  Popery  was  found- 
ed upon  an  impenetrable  ignorance  of  the  Gospel  of 
Christ ;  and  its  long  continued  ascendency  was  per- 
petuated by  that  combination  of  spiritual  tyrants, 
who  contrived  during  several  centuries  to  bind  the 
world  in  the  most  degrading  mental  vassalage.  That 
illumination  only  is  requisite  to  demolish  the  Papal 
corruptions, equally  with  the  Mohammedan  apostacy, 
is  a  fact  verified  by  experience,  and  attested  by  the 
history  of  nations.  Under  the  withering  controul  of 
that  appalling  and  incomparable  despotism,  the  ten 
kingdoms  of  the  Roman  empire,  the  ten  horns  of  the 
beast  became  gradually  more  and  more  palsied,  until 


laO       ,  KCCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  VIII. 

it  appears,  that  an  almost  incurable  lethargy  pervad- 
ed their  whole  boundaries;  at  least,  it  is  certain  tliat 
nothing  could  have  roused  them  from  their  stupor, 
but  the  activity  inspired  by  the  discovery  of  Amei  ica, 
and  the  excitement  enkindled  by  the  rapid  propaga- 
tion of  knowledge  through  the  then  novel  art  of  print- 
ing; both  of  which  loosened  the  chains  ofdark.'iess 
and  coercion  with  w  hich  the  human  soul  had  so  long 
been  fettered,  and  finally  enabled  the  enterpris- 
ing, and  the  learned  and  the  pious  to  '•  fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith ;"  and  by  thus  undermining  the  Papal 
fortress,  to  justify  that  anticipation  which  exults  in 
the  song  of  triumph  over  its  total  and  irrecoverable 
-destruction.  In  reviewing  the  moral  degradation  and 
the  intellectual  stupor  of  this  desolate  period  in 
the  annals  of  the  human  family — we  are  lost  in 
astonishment  at  the  mysteriousness  of  the  Divine 
government,  the  wondrous  reaction  of  human  affairs, 
the  exact  retribution  which  the  Supreme  Governor 
often  awards  to  mankind,  even  in  tliis  world,  and 
the  almost  insuparable  tendency  that  exists  in  the 
hearts  of  men  to  depart  from  the  living  God, 

The  gradual  introduction  of  the  Papal  supersti- 
tions, and  the  sudden  establishment  of  the  delusious 
originally  promulged  at  Mecca,  verify  the  Prophetic 
truth,  "  the  Lord  is  with  you  if  you  be  with  him,  hut 
if  you  forsake  him,  he  will  forsake  you  :"  and  the 
infallible  declaration  of  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  is 
exemplified  in  all  its  humiliating  force,  by  the  annals 
of  the  nominal  church  during  the  three  hundred  year? 
subsequent  to  Constantine's  publicly  authoritative 
recognition  of  the  Gospel,  as  the  Imperial  religion. 
Spiritual  devotion  was  generally  unknown  ;  the  wor- 
ship of  Godw^as  transformed  into  a  carnal  exterior 
round  of  services  by  which  the  light  of  evangelical 
truth  was  obscured  ;  h  ^  sanctity  of  the  divine  com- 
mandments was  obliterated  by  a  substitute  which 
altogether  commuted  the  whole  moral  system,  in  the 
practice  of  auricular  confession,  and  pri^^stly  absolu- 
tion; and  as  the  progress  of  corruption  is  continually 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  l5l 

acGeleraliog;  it  was  soon  developed  in  all  its  enor- 
mity, evincing  that  "men  love  darkness  rather  thaa 
light  because  their  deeds  are  evil." 

it  is  not  surprize  merely  which  affects  us  in  con- 
templating these  inscrutable  movements  of  the  Pro- 
vidential system ;  but  also  gratitude  that  God  who 
presides  over  aH  terrestrial  affairs,  has  so  directed 
these  apparently  inexplicable  and  contradictory  e- 
vents,  that  they  furnish  the  strongest  possible  con- 
viction to  our  minds  of  the  truth  which  the  sacred 
scriptures  develope,  and  thus  through  divine  influ- 
ence they  may  contribute  most  essentially  to  our 
spiritual  edification.  "  He  maketh  the  wrath  of  man 
to  praise  him,  and  the  remainder  of  that  wrath  he 
restrains."  The  Monks  and  Friars,  whose  Argus 
eyes  explored  every  recess  however  secret,  to  seize 
all  the  copies  of  the  sacred  volume,  that  their  con- 
tents might  be  unknown  to  the  multitudes'over  whom 
they  had  obtained  a  resistlsss  sway,  entombed  the 
manuscripts  which  they  collected  in  oblivion,  witliin 
the  walls  of  their  Abbies.  Now  it  is  not  a  little  re- 
markable, that  this  same  manoeuvre  under  divine 
controul  became  the  safe-guard  of  the  scriptures. 

The  copies  which  were  obtained  either  by  intimi- 
dation or  force  or  fraud,  were  deposited  in  the  mo- 
nasteries and  the  large  collegiate  institutions  as  re- 
ceptacles of  safety;  and  as  these  were  appropriated 
to  the  most  sacred  purposes  in  public  estimation, 
and  legalized  as  perfect  sanctuaries,  so  they  v/ere 
seldom  assailed  ;  and  thus  became  treasuries  in 
which  might  most  securely  be  intrusted  any  articled 
however  costly  or  precious.  Had  the  ingenuity  of 
the  Monks  and  Friars  equalled  their  malignity,  and 
their  aversion  irom  the  Scriptures,  they  would  have 
irrecoverably  destroyed  all  the  copies  which  could 
have  been  grasped;  but  they  were  taken  in  tlieir  own 
craftiness  ;  and  he  who  makes  '*  all  things  work  toge- 
ther for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  the  called 
according  to  his  purpose,"  thus  so  regulated  all  the 
corrupt  passions  of  n^en,  that  they  who  never  rested 


152  ECCLESIASTICAL  IIlSrvRV.  LRCTUnK  VUJ. 

from  the  unholy  employ,  to  obliterate  the  eiiergy  of 
revealed  truth  and  to  extirpate  the  cliarter  ol'  re- 
demption from  its  residence  on  earth,  became  in  the 
days  of  darkness,  and  tlirough  the  centuries  of  moral 
and  spiritual  palpable  gloom,  the  unassjiilable  guard- 
ians  of  its  imperishable  truths,  promises  and  com-t 
mands. 

Another  circumstance  which  is  not  l^ss  impressire 
must  also  be  remembered.     In  declaring  the  Latin 
version,  the  only  authorised  text  of  Scripture,  it  be- 
came necessary  for  the  sake  of  those  who  continued 
to  use  that  language  both  in  speakir.g  and  writing, 
and  who  consequently  might  comprehend  the  oracles 
of  truth,  often  to  exhibit  the  Old  and  New  Testament, 
that  sceptics  might  be  convinced  that  tlie  various  er- 
rors and  mummeries  of  popery  were  truly  sanctioned 
by  the  Founder  of  the  Church  and  his  Apostles. — . 
Hence  the  exposure  necessary  even  to  change  the 
tenor  of  the  divine  w^ord,  so  that  it  might  authorize  all 
the  new  follies  either  in  faith,  worship  or  practice, 
^vhich  were  contimially  increasing  in  the  church,  also 
tended  to  remind  those  who  had  never  seen  the  Gos- 
pels, that  such  a  book  existed,  and  that  so  paramount 
was  its  authority,  it  was  deemed  in  all  cases  of  difficul- 
ty that  standard  of  verity  alone  from  the  decision  of 
which  no  appeal  existed.  He.  the  supreme,  who  does 
ns  he  pleases  in  the  midst  of  the  armies  of  heaven,  and 
among  the  inhabitants   of  the  earth,    often  by  this 
means  illustrated  the  truth  to  the  sincere  and  candid 
inquirer;  and  maintained  the   smoking  (lax,  that  it 
could   not  be   totally  extinguished.     To   this  cause 
we  owe  the  feeble  opposition  to  the  Papacy,  Avhich 
existed  at  every  period  from  the  rise  of  the  Walden-. 
f>es  to  the  more  furious  assaults  made  upon  the  bat- 
tlements of  Antichrist  by  the  Reformers  of  the  six- 
teenth century. 

When  we  consider  therefore  the  nature,  progress, 
extent  and  predominance  of  Popery,  originating  in 
the  corruption  of  ungodly  Despots  and  Hierarchs  in 
the  bosom  of  the  church-^'vvhen  we  reflect  upon  th^ 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  153 

strictlj  accurate  delineation  given  of  all  these  poste- 
rior events  so  mmy  hundreds  of  years  anterior—when 
we  observe  the  wonder-working  displays  of  the  per- 
fections of  God,  as  unfolded  in  his  boundlessly  wise 
super-intendence  of  these  discordant  and  baneful 
e/ents — when  we  see  a  constant  interference  pro- 
pelling even  the  wickedness  of  man  to  consummate 
the  dispensations  of  divine  wisdom  and  mercy — and 
when  we  behold  all  the  concerns  of  several  centuries 
only  operating  tx)  verify  divine  revelation,  to  humble 
us  under  the  review  of  the  vast  imperfection  attach- 
ed to  the  human  character,  to  exemplify  the  incalcu- 
lable value  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  to  ex- 
cite in  us  caution,  w  atchfuiness,  and  a  more  power- 
ful solicitude  rightly  to  impove  our  inestimable  pri- 
vileges, we  must,  lost  in  astonishment,  subjoin  with 
the  Psalmist—"  Lord,  what  is  man  that  thou  art  mind- 
ful of  him,  or  the  Son  of  man  that  thou  shouldst  visit 
him .?" 

V 


The  Papal  hierarchy  delineated  in  its  prophetical  charac- 
teristics— the  extent  of  its  dominion,  and  the  nature  oj 
its  power. 


After  the  permanent  establishment  of  the  Arabian 
imposture,  the  mystery  of  abomination  was  com- 
pletely unfolded,  and  the  1260  years  of  gloom  com- 
menced their  revolution.  However  impossible  it 
may  be  to  determine  with  precision  the  exact  period  ; 
yet  the  moral  aspect  of  the  nations,  the  exaltation  of 
the  Roiuan  Hierarchy,  the  inseparable  combination 
of  the  ten  civil  horns  of  the  Heathen  Empire  under 
one  (iominal  Christian  Judge  and  Legislator  and  ter- 
restrial Vicegerent  of  God,  and  especially  the  origi- 
nal prophesying  of  the  two  witnesses  in  sackcloth 
authorize  the  deduction,  that  the  sacred  mysterious 
iiuitiber  6t)G  is  probably  the  true  date  of  that  dupli- 
cate eventftd  eia,  in  retrospect  so  humiliating,  so 
joyful  in  anticip-^tion. 

The  general  history  of  the  Roman  Papacy,  its  most 
imp.-essive  features,  the  opponents  of  its  authority, 
and  some  of  its  prophetical  characteristics  must  be 
described.  These  topics  will  include  the  principal 
eve'its  which  occurred  during  nearly  850  years,  until 
th*^  third  Angel  proclaimed  with  a  loud  voice,  '-they 
have  no  rest  day  nor  night,  who  worship  the  Beast 
and  his  im'^gc." 

The  narrative  which  these  circumstances  com- 
prize will  not  be  divided  by  dates  or  periods ;  but 
each  subject  will  be  distinctly  reviewed  throughout 
the  duration  of  the  almost  uncontradicted  supremacy 
of  him  "  v,ho  had  two  horns  like  a  lamb,  and  spake 
as  a  dragon," 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  155 

/.   The  extent  of  his  dominion. 

Of  graphical  prophecy,  no  painting  can  be  more 
accurate  than  the  portrait  of  the  Papacy  drawn  by 
the  Apostle,  when  in  Patmos,  he  "was  in  the  Spirit, 
on  the  Lord's  day."  The  Beast  to  which  "  the  dra- 
gon gave  his  power,  and  his  seat  and  his  great  au- 
thority,"  had  '•  seven  heads  and  ten  horns,  and  upon 
his  horns  ten  crowns:"  and  in  the  seventeenth  chap- 
ter of  the  Apocalypse,  the  heads  and  the  horns  are 
explained.  ''  The  seven  heads  are  seven  mountains 
on  which  the  woman  sitteth ;"  for  the  prophet  had 
immediately  before  described  the  woman  as  sitting 
"  upon  a  scarlet  coloured  beast,  having  seven  heads 
and  ten  horns."  The  seven  heads  are  also  expound- 
ed as  seven  kings,  of  whom  five  had  fallen,  one  exist- 
ed, "  and  the  other  is  not  yet  come ;  "  and  the  ten 
horns  are  ten  kings  who  have  received  no  kingdom 
as  yet  but  receive  power,  have  one  mind,  and  shall 
give  their  power  and  strength  to  the  beast." 

The  seven  mountains  determine  the  application  of 
the  prediction  to  Rome,  "  the  city  with  seven  hills  ;" 
and  the  seven  kings  imply  the  several  forms  of  gov- 
ernment which  successively  swayed  the  Roman  em- 
pire. "  Five  of  these  had  fallen  ;  the  lings.,  constds, 
dictators^  decemvirs.,  and  military  tribunes  ;"  the  imperial 
authority,  which  was  the  sixth,  then  ruled ;  and  the 
seventh  must  intend  either  the  Patrician  form  after 
the  death  of  Augustulus,  or  the  delegated  sovereignty 
to  the  exarch  of  Ravenna,  in  combination  with  the 
Pope's  temporal  authority,  which  is  that  complicated 
beast  '•  that  was  and  is  not,  even  he  is  the  eighth,  and 
is  of  the  seven  and  goeth  into  perdition."  The  scar- 
let coloured  beast  must  be  the  Roman  government 
in  its  final  attribute  ;  and  this  is  the  Papal  hierarchy. 

The  great  red  dragon  which  stood  before  the  wo- 
man to  devour  her  child  as  soon  as  it  was  born,  is 
delineated  as  identical  with  the  scarlet  coloured 
beast.  To  illustrate  this  point,  it  is  extremely  inter- 
esting to  observe,  that  the  dehverance  of  the  church 
from  the  dragon  is  fixed  at  the  ordinary  period  of 


156  ECCLESIAbXICAL  IJISTOR'V.  LECTURE  IX. 

gestation;  and  from  the  day  of  Pentecost  until  the 
proclamation  of  Coiistantine  for  tlie  universal  tolera- 
tion and  encouragement  of  Ghriatianity,  comprised 
exactly  280  year,s.  But  why  is  he  clothed  in  scarlet  ? 
The  Roman  Kings,  Consuls,  Generals,  Emperors, 
Popes  and  Cardinals  have  continually  adorned  them- 
selves in  purple  or  scarlet  robes  ;  and  that  this  is 
the  correct  exidication  of  the  prediction  is  evident 
from  the  remarkable  manner  in  which  it  was  adopte<i 
by  Constantine  in  his  letter  to  Eusebius;  "  directing- 
him  to  repair  and  rebuild  the  houses  for  the  worship 
of  God."  "  Liberty  being  now  restored,*'  writes  ihe 
Christian  Conqueror,  "  and  that  dragon^''  meaning  ei- 
ther Galerius  who  had  so  long  endeavoured  to  mur- 
der him,  or  probably  the  whole  Pagan  imperial  gov- 
ernment, "  that  dragon  being  lemoved  from  ihe  ad- 
ministration of  public  aflairs,  by  the  providence  of 
the  great  God,  and  by  my  ministry  ;  {  esteem  the 
great  power  of  God  to  have  been  made  manifest  to 
all."  Eusebius  assures  us,  that  in  express  allusion 
to  the  divine  oracles,  where  the  evil  spirit  is  called 
the  dragon,  a  picture  of  Constantine  was  exalted 
over  the  gate  of  his  palace,  witli  the  cross  suspeiided 
over  his  head  ;  and  under  his  feet,  "the  great  enemy 
of  mankind,  who  persecuted  the  church  by  the  meaiis 
of  impious  tyrants,  in  the  i'ovm  of  a  dragon,"  pierced 
with  a  dait  in  his  body,  and  hurled  headlong  into 
the  watery  ab}  ss. 

At  the  period  \vhen  Augustulus,  the  last  of  the  west- 
ern Emperors  was  vanquished,  and  the  Imperial 
sway  over  the  occidental  part  of  tfie  Roman  empire 
was  destroyed — his  dominions  were  divided  into  ten 
kingdoms,  which  comprehended  witljin  its  general 
boundary  the  whole  of  Europe  except  the  countries 
subsequently  possessed  by  the  Turks,  and  the  prov- 
inces of  Russia  according  to  their  ancient  boundaries, 
and  probably  excluding  Sweden  and  Norway  sepa- 
rated by  the  Baltic.  This  remarkable  coincidence 
in  the  settlement  of  the  countries  immediately  sub- 
ject to  the  Dragon's  Beast,  is  a  unique  in  the  history 


CKMURIES    VII.— XVI.  15? 

of  the  Wdild.  ''  All  these  kingdoms  were  divided 
either  by  conquest  or  inheritance  ;  and  as  if  that 
number  ^m  had  been  fatal  in  the  Roman  dominions,  it 
has  been  often  particularly  remarked."  Eberard,  a 
Papist,  mentioned  it  about  the  year  1 240,  in  the  diet  of 
Kalisbon.  Luther  at  the  period  of  the  Reformation. 
Newton  and  Whistoii  120  years  since — and  thatvi^hich 
is  yet  more  astonishing,  after  the  late  European  earth- 
quake, which  at  one  period  seemed  to  have  trans- 
fei-red  nearly  the  whole  sovereignty  of  that  continent: 
to  an  individual  warrior,  the  Kings  of  the  ancient 
VVcstcrti  Empire  have  '•  returned  again  to  the  same 
condition,  nnd  at  present  it  is  divided  into  ten  princi- 
pal elates." 

If  any  argument  were  required  to  verify  our  faith 
in  divine  Revelation,  afier  so  perfect  a  consumma- 
tion of  John's  prophecy,  it  might  be  triumphantly 
deduced  from  the  wondrous  fact,  that  700  years  pre- 
vious to  the  publication  of  the  Apostle's  visions,  Je- 
hovah had  revealed  the  same  history  of  the  Roman 
empire  to  Nebuchadnezzar  in  the  dream  which  Dan- 
iel interpreted  ;  and  again  ;- bout  fifty  years  subse- 
quent, to  the  Prophet  himself 

These  predictions  of  the  Old  Testament  were 
written  when  the  Roiiian  pow  er  was  confined  to  a 
small  district  in  Italy,  and  when  it  is  most  probable 
even  the  name  of  such  a  city  or  people  had  never 
crossed  the  Adriatic.  The  application  of  these 
Prophecies  Ava^-  correctly  made  by  all  the  principal 
ancient  esposit<.  iS  of  the  sacred  volume,  and  Jerome 
who  lived  during  the  irr'  ptions  of  the  northern  bar- 
barians, long  prior  to  the  complete  fulfilment  of  the 
prophetical  visions,  in  one  succinct  paragraph  de- 
tailed the  whole  posterior  history.  "  The  feet  and 
toes  are  partly  </  Lon  and  partly  of  clay,  which  is 
most  manifesiiy  proved  at  this  time  ;  and  when  the 
Roman  empire  sh  ill  be  destroyed,  there  will  be  ten 
kings,  who  will  divide  it  between  them,  and  an  elev- 
enth shall  arise,  a  little  king,  who  shall  subdue  three 
of  the  kings,  and  the  other  seven  shall  submit  their 


l5S  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  IX. 

necks  to  the  conqueror.*'  This  displays  very  acute 
scriptural  perspicacity  ;  because  if  we  only  ciiaiige 
the  style  from  the  future  for  the  past,  we  peruke  the 
utmost  exactitude  of  undeniable  fact. 

The  grand  difficulty  connected  with  these  delinc- 
ations  consists  in  the  utter  impossibility  to  determine 
the  epoch  when  the  power  of  the  beast  commenced. 
That  the  I2G0  years  of  its  duration  have  not  termi- 
nated is  evinced,  because  the  Angel  '•  having  great 
power,"  has  not  "come  down  from  heaven,  and  cried 
mightily  with  a  strong  voice,  saying, Babylon  the  great 
is  fallen,  is  fallen."  Several  eras  have  been  designated 
as  the  first  of  the  1260  years.   "  Their  commencement 
must  be  placed  after  the  subversion  of  the  western 
empire;  but  the  beginning  of  the  rise  and  fall  of  the 
anti-christian  tyranny,  and  the  completion  of  them,'' 
may  probably  like  the    Fiabylonish  captivity,  be  re- 
ferred to  different  periods.  Justinian  the  Emperor  in 
534  declared  the  Pope  the  head  of  all  the  churches; 
and  not  in  language  only,  but  sent  Bishops  lo  Rome 
as  his  ambassadors.      Gregory  I.  domineered  most 
haughtily  o\er  all  the  churches  of  the  West  during 
the  sixth,  and  the   posterior  Spiritual  Usurper  much 
more  despotically  in  the  seventli  century.    This  pow- 
er of  the  Papacy  was  remarkably  developed  in  the 
success  which  attended  their  efforts  to  establish  the 
worship  of  images  and  the  invocation  of  saints:  for 
when  Gregory  so  blasphemously  inserted  the  name 
of  the  Virgin    Mary   in    his  litanies  of  devotion — 
although  he  was  opposed  by  all  the  earnestness  of 
Christian  sincerity  ;  by  all  the  illumination  of  Bibli- 
cal literature  ;  by  the  hitherto  irresistible  influence 
of  primitive   practice,    exemplified   in    the    "  Holy 
Church  throughout  all  the  Avorld ;"  by  the  example 
of"  the  noble  army  of  Martyrs;"  and  by  the  authority 
of  the  Christian  bnperial  Government ;  yet  "  the  Man 
of  Sin"  was  victorious,   and  in  60(>,  was  proclaimed 
Universal    Bishop.       Having    excommuFiicated     the 
Greek  Emperor  in  consequence  of  his  opposition  to 
idolatry,  and  having  excited  such  civil  commotions 


'..fcJNlL/RiES    VII XVI.  159 

aiid  Jiitesliiie  wars  that  the  sovereignly  of  Leo  was 
totally  subverted  in  Italy — about  120  years  from  the 
almost  general  acknowledgement  of  his  ecclesiastical 
reign,  Gregory  If.  then  Pope,  usurped  the  temporal 
supremacy.  In  the  mean  time  the  heterodox,  for 
all  who  dissented  from  the  Beast  were  so  denounced, 
were  by  the  laws  declared  infamous,  incapacitated 
as  witnesses,  and  outlaws ;  the  Pope's  canons  were 
of  equal  or  superior  authority  to  the  legislative 
enactments  .  and  hence  it  is  evident,  that  at  this  pe- 
riod, the  Beast  had  fully  received  from  the  dragon 
"  his  ])ower,  and  his  seat  :?.nd  great  authority," — - 
ft  appears  therefore  a  reasonable  inference,  that  the 
year  606  is  the  earliest,  and  the  Papal  acquisition 
of  the  indepejjdent  civil  power,  the  latest  date  poaisi- 
ble  whicJi  can  be  fixed  for  the  entrance  upon  the  1260 
years.  The  tirst  is  too  early  ;  because  it  is  prior  to 
the  Mohammedan  Hegira,  and  the  witnesses  pro- 
phesying in  sackcloth  ;  and  the  latter  seems  to  inter- 
pose too  great  an  interval  between  events  which 
prophecy  and  history  both  determine  to  have  almost 
simultaneously  occurred.  One  fact  remains  incon-^ 
testable — two  of  the  dates,  1789  and  1815,  which 
during  the  last  century  were  frequently  specified 
as  the  years  when  the  Papal  Hierarchy  and  alDomina- 
tions  should  be  extirpated,  have  revolved,  and  the 
Beast  still  exercises  his  odious,  intolerant  sway  over 
the  major  part  of  iiis  original  domains;  fulminating 
his  anathemas  against  the  word  of  God  and  its  Pro- 
pagators from  the  Baltic  to  the  Meditterranean, 
and  from  Thrace  to  Connaught ;  and  despatching  to 
all  nations  with  renewed  vigour,  t'  the  body  guard 
of  the  Pope,"  his  horde  of  Jesuit  Janazaries,  "that 
generation  of  vipers,"  to  seduce  and  envenom  the 
world. 

//.   The  characters  of  his  power. 

These  must  first  be  illustrated  in  the  language  and 

painting  of  prophecy.     Daniel  represents  him  in  his 

seventh  chapter,  as  a  horn,    the  scriptural  symbol 

of  energy  and  force,  "plucking  up  by  the  roots,  three 


5  60  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  IX. 

of  the  first  horns,"  overturning  three  of  the  ten  states; 
*•  he  shall  be  diverse  from  the  first  j*'  his  aiUhority 
being  both  ecclesiastical  and  secular — *'  in  this  horji 
were  eyes  like  the  eyes  of  man;"  this  denotes  his 
cunning  policy  and  splicitude  for  his  own  advance- 
ment— ••  he  had  a  m0uth  speaking  great  things ;"  the 
Pope  filled  all  Europe  v/ith  his  noise,  boasting  of  his 
supremacy,  issuing  his  bulls,  and  disolving  ail  the 
relations  of  society — '■  his  look  was  more  stout  than 
histellows;"  he  claimed  and  possessed  almost  uni- 
versal superiority    over  all    the    ten    kir.^s — ^'  he 
shall  speak  great  words  against  the  Most  High;" 
the  Pope  established  himseli  above  all  law,  arrogated 
the  god-like  attributes  of  holiness  and  infallibility, 
and  demanded  and  enforced  obedience  to  his  decre- 
tals, when  they  were  absurd,  destructive  and  blas- 
phemous— ^'  he  shall  w^ear  out  the  saints  of  the  Most 
Hjph;"  whoever  harrassed  the  sincere  disciples  of 
the  Lamb  with  more  cruelty  or  constancy,  by  massa- 
cre and  tortures  than  the  Popes  and   tlieir  Inquisi- 
torial agents  ? — "  he  shall  think  to  change  times  and 
laws  ;"  this  was  effected  by  the  indulgences  for  sin, 
the  idolatrous  festivals  which  he  appointed,  the  anti- 
scriptural  articles  of  faith  and  the  vitiating  practices 
w^hich  he  sanctioned,  and  by  claiming  the  indefeasi- 
ble prerogative  to  alter  and  reverse  at  his  pleasure 
the  laws  of  God  and  man — "  they  shall  be  given  into 
his  hand,  until  a  time,  and  times  and  the  dividing  of 
times;"  time  means  a'year,  therefore  this  is  equiva- 
lent to  three  years  and  a  half — "  forty  two  months, 
a  thousand  two  hundred  and  threescore  days" — now 
God  declared  to  Ezekiel,  "  I  have  appointed  thee 
each  day  for  a  year ;"  and  Daniel's  seventy  weeks 
were  490  years,  consequently  these  are  1260  years. 
The  description  of  the  Apostle  Paul  is  not  less  ac- 
curate— "he  opposeth  and  exalteth  himself  above  all 
that  is  called  God  or  that  is  worshipped,  so  that  he 
as  God  sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God,  shewing  himself 
that  he  is  God."     In  a  further  delineation,  he  de- 
scribes the  members  of  the  Apostacy  as  giving  heed 


«";i:XTUR]ES    VII. XM.  ICl 

•lo  sridiijcitig  •^pints  qikI  doctrines  of  devils,  speaking 
iies  in  liypocrisy, forbidding  to  marry,  abstaining  from 
meats,  an  1  having  tlieir  consciences  seared  with  a 
hot  iroii.''     T'iiis  is  the  genuine  picture  of  the  Papal 
system.     The  Popes  have  always  destroyed,  if  prac- 
licable,  those  who  adhered  to  the  word  of  God  and 
rejected   their  traditions — •■   he  exalted  himself;" 
Einperors  find  Kings,  have  been  dethroned  and  re- 
stored by  them  ;  and  their  kingdoms  have  been  be- 
stowed as  the  patrimony  of  tlie  Beast ;  the  most  dig- 
Jiiaed  potentates  of  Europe  themselves,  have  waited 
at  the  gates  of  ihe  Pope's  palace  almost  naked,  in 
tlip  midst  of  winter — they  have  prostrated  themselves 
before  liim,  kissed  his  toe  and  held  his  stirrup  ;  (wo  of 
them  have  led  his  horse  by  the  bridle  in  procession; 
their  crowns  have  been  kicked  from  their  heads  by 
the  Pope's  foot;  he  has  trampled  upon  their  heads; 
and  they  have  even  suffered  their  necks  to  be  trod- 
den upon  as  a  footstool,  when  he  ascended  his  horse, 
or  portable  canopie<l   throne.     This  scripture  was 
used  on  those  occasions — "  They  shall  bear  thee  up 
ill  their  hands,  lest  thou  dash  thy  loot  against  a  stone. 
Thou  shalt  tread  upon  the  lion  and  adder;  the  young- 
lion  and   the  dragon  shalt  thou  trample  under  (eeU^ 
Psalm  91  :   12,   13. — "  The  word  of  God  has  been 
made  of  none  eiTect  by  his  traditions  ;"  the  Pope  has 
forbiddm  the  communion  of  bread   and  wine,  mar- 
riage, the  knowdedgc  of  the  scriptures  ;    while   he 
enforces  the  violation  of  tlic  first  commandment,  has 
erased  the  second   to  remove  .the  divine  barrier  to 
idolatry,  and  sanctifies  murder.     "  He  sits  in  the  tem- 
ple of  God,  as  God  :"  upon  tlie  high  altar  at  his  pon- 
tifical inauguration  ;  the  I^ord's  table  is  his  footstool, 
and  thus  he  receives  god-like  adoration — "  he  shew^s 
himself  that  he  is  God  ;"  he  has  blasphemously  as- 
sumed the  innlienable  titles  and  fittributes,  Avilh  the 
incommunicable    power  and   {)rerogalives  of  "  the 
only*'  blessed  potentate,  the  only  wise  God  our  Sav- 
iour, to  pardon  siiu  which  the  Jews  declared  belonged 
I©  God  alone,  and   for  winch  they  impeached  and 


162  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTO?.Y.  LCCTUKfc:  IX. 

hated  the  Lord  of  hie  and  glory  to  whom  it  belonged  ; 
and  has  also  declared  that  his  raithority  is  greatci 
than  the  word  of  God,  and  must  be  received  on  the 
penalty  of  '•  everlasting  punishment."  It  is  almost 
sacrilege,  a'.id  desecration  of  the  house  of  prayer,  but 
it  is  necessary  to  recapitulate  some  of  his  titles — 
"  Our  Lord  God  the  Pope  ;  God  upon  earth  :  King 
of  Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords  :  Judge  in  tlie  place  of 
God — God  has  delivered  to  him  all  the  kingdoms  ot 
this  world:  the  povver  of  the  Pope  extends  to  things 
celestial,  terrestrial  and  infernal  ;  the  Pope  doth 
what  he  pleases,  even  things  uidawfui,  and  is  more 
than  God  ;  if  the  Pope  commands  vice  and  tbrbid- 
.virtue,  the  Church  is  bound  to  believe  that  vice  is 
good,  and  virtue  wicked,  unless  she  would  sin  against 
her  own  conscience ;  and  the  authority  of  the  Church, 
that  is  the  Pope,  is  more  ancient  and  worthy  than 
the  script  urrs.'' 

This  blasphemy  is  the  language  of  papal  decre- 
tals, and  may  be  discovered  in  the  a(;ts  of  councils  ; 
it  is  evident  therefore  that  Daniel's  little  horn,  and 
Paul's  man  of  sin,  are  identical ;  and  not  less  the  An- 
tichrist of  John — this  interj)relation  was  published 
1650  years  ago  by  Justin  ;  and  all  the  most  enlight- 
ened Expositors  who  wrote  prior  to  the  extermina- 
tion of  the  Western  Imperial  power,  corroborate  his 
application  of  the  propiiecy.  Tertullian,  Origen, 
Lactajitius.  Cyril.  Ambrose,  Hilary.  Jerome,  Austin, 
Clirys.ostom  ;  and  even  Gregory  the  first,  himself 
Pope  at  the  close  of  the  sixth  (rentury,  declared  that 
lie  who  assumed  the  title  of  Universal  Bishop,  was 
either  Antichrist  or  his  forerunner  ;  and  yet,  in  606, 
his  ahno^it  immediate  successor,  Boniface,  two  years 
only  sul>se(|uefit  to  the  death  of  Gregory,  usurped 
that  same  title  thus  so  bohlly  denounced  by  the  for- 
mer Ilierarch  ;  and  the  title,  with  all  its  anticliristian 
appendagos.  is  still  retained  by  the  present  Pius  VII. 
the  genuine  heir  of  all  the  pride,  of  all  the  hatred  to 
the  gosj):>h  aiid  of  all  the  cruelty  which  Ilildebrand 
♦^r  Alexander  ever  felt  or  displayed.     The  modern 


^ 


CENTUKiLS    YII. XVI.  1G3 

•'  Man  of  Sin,"  it  is  true,  possesses  not  the  opportu- 
nilj  to  develope  his  real  and  perfect  character  ;  but 
he  has  often  asserted  the  undiminished  plenitude  of 
his  ecclesiastical  supremacy  ;  he  has  invariably  coun- 
teracted the  spread  of  the  scriptures  by  liis  audacious 
bulls,  mandates  and  venom,  against  the  Bible  Socie- 
ties and  Revealed  Truth  in  the  vernacular  language; 
he  has  resuscitated  the  dead,  entombed  and  accursed 
hiquisition  ;  and  he  has  re- organized  that  band  of 
Scorpions,  the  Jesuits,  to  pollute  and  disgrace  the 
nations — thus  combining  a  mass  of  incalculable  and 
intolerable  crime  against  the  church  and  the  world, 
which  will  consign  the  name  and  the  acts  of  this  Rep- 
resentative of  the  Beast  and  the  pretended  legitimate 
Despots  of  Europe,  his  restorers  and  abettors,  to 
imiversal  and  imperishable  execration. 

The  qualities  belonging  to  the  Apocalyptic  woman, 
as  described  by  John,  have  already  been  brieily  no- 
ticed ;  two  of  her  characteristics  however  were  not 
recited.  Upon  her  forehead  was  a  name  written, 
•"Mystery  ;"'  and  it  is  affirmed,  that  formerly  this  word 
was  inscribed  in  letters  of  gold  in  front  of  the  Pope's 
triple  crown.  '■'  The  woman  was  drunken  with  the 
blood  of  the  saints,  and  Avith  the  blood  of  the  mar- 
tyrs of  Jesus'" — Blasphemy  and  cruelty  were  predict- 
ed as  her  prime  distinctive  features  ;  that  they  were 
appropriately  described  will  most  evidently  appear 
when  we  narrate  the  high  claims  and  tiie  sanguinary 
practices  of  this  Antichristian  Apostacy.  It  has  been 
calculated  that  the  Popes  and  their  vassals  have 
massacred  ten  times  as  matiy  rejecters  of  the  Papal 
authority,  as  the  number  of  them  who  under  the 
Heathen  Emperors  were  m.artyred  because  they  re- 
fused to  bow  down  to  their  idols  ;  well  therefore 
might  John  wonder  "  wiih  great  admiration,*'  at  the 
vision  of  the  external  form  and  name  of  the  Christian 
(Jhurch,  encircled  with  an  ocean  of  blood.  etTused 
from  the  veins  of  hnmnnuers  disciples,  and  the  Apos- 
tle's brethren  in  the  faith. 

The  prophetical  picture  of  the  Beast  having  thu§ 


164  tCCLCSIASTlCAL  HIS'IORV.  LKMTRL  iX. 

been  analyzed,  the  nature  of  liis  power  will  now  be 
developed.  It  comprized  two  principal  nssurnplions. 
Intallibility  wilhoiil  defect,  and  supremacy  without 
controul. 

1.   How  was  this  InfaUihilUi^  c.xanpUfiP.d  ? 
The  principles  advaiH'.ed  by  the  claim  of  infallibii- 
itv  J^re  these  :  ••  The  Church  of  Christ  is  tlie  rule  <'.i' 
faith,  tiie  judoje  of  controversy,  visible,  universal,  and 
Vf ithont  error;  the  Roman  counnunion  is  that  church  ; 
the  Pope  is  by  divine  right,   its  sovereign  liead,  su- 
preme judge  and   lawgiver  in  all  things  relating  to 
religion,  whetliei'  as  to  laith,  manners  or  discipline — 
who.  as  the  vieegererit  of  Jesus  Clirist,  cannot  err  ; 
but  upon  every  point  of  revelation,  pronounces  sen 
tence  clearly,  distinctly,    and   with  certainty  infalli- 
ble."    This  privilege  is  of  vast  extent  ;  it  compre- 
hends/)/5?zr/r?/;w«'er — to  determine  upon  the  canonical 
authority  of  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  demands  the 
br^lief  or  rejection  of  them  in  conformity  with  the  pa- 
pal decision — to  authorize  the  knowledge  of  the  ce- 
lestial volume  for  us  :  this  principle  however,  is  now 
vevy  much  altered  ;  formerly  Popes,  Cardinals,  and 
the  whole  minor  train  of  *'  Friai-s.  black,  v»hite  and 
grf^y,"  insisted  that  it  would  have  been  better  for  the 
Chui'ch  if  there  were  no  Bible,  and  contended  tijal 
they  derived  not  their. existence  from  the  gospel,  but 
thai  the  canon  of  revelation  was  indebted  for  its  use 
among  men  to  tlieir  permission  :  this  dogma  howev- 
er, since  the  invention  oi"  Printing  and  i\\o  Heforma- 
tio!i,  has  not  been  much  promulged,  altiiongh  it  is 
still  generally  believed  and  {tractised  among  llie  ad- 
herents of  the  papacy — lo  expoimd  the  sense  of  the 
holy  oracles,  and  with  all  tliat  cerlitude,  that  every 
Christian  is  obliged  without  scruple  to  believe  it ; 
hence,  under  papal  interpretation,  vice  and  virtue 
change  their  characteristics  ;  error  and  truth  become 
metamorphosed  ;  and  tiiat  although  Popes  and  Coun- 
cils in  every  age,  lia\'e  contradicted  each  other  to  the 
utmjst  distance  ol'possihle  separation;  notwithstand- 
ing thev  have,   with  all   grovjlv,  fulminated    e\erv 


CENTURIES    VIl XTJ.  165 

\nathoma  which  infernal  maHgnity  coulcl  invent 
against  each  other,  the  whole  odious  mass  of  contra- 
<JicJionsand  lies  we  are  impHcitly  to  credit  hecause 
liiey  are  sanctioned  hy  the  Mother  of  Abominations 
— to  decide  peremptorily  upon  the  additional  doc- 
trines and  duties  indispensable  to  salvation,  and  to 
i9up{)ly  as  etrtcrgencies  require,  from  tradition  and. 
ex}iediency,  tise  deficiencies  which  they  avow  are  ob- 
vious in  "  the  J^cripturc  of  Truth;''  by  the  operction 
of  this  claim,  ail  the  abhorrent  appendages  ol'  the 
Roman  superstitions  in  worship,  the  stupendous  er- 
rors of  their  pretended  creed  of  faith  and  moral-', 
and  the  debasing  immorality  of  their  conversation 
and  practice  are  indebted  for  their  origin — and  to 
decide  all  controversies  without  reference  to  scrip- 
ture, conscience,  or  nny  other  tribunal  ;  this  was  in 
fact,  an  arrogation  of  boundless  wisdom,  and  there- 
tore  was  evolved  in  the  most  contemptible  specimens 
of  ignorance  and  absurdity  :  sometimes  by  procrasti- 
nating a  sentence  until  all  the  contiovertists  were 
dead  ;  at  other  periods  recommending  peace  among 
the  mertdicant  orders,  that  neither  of  them  might  be 
alienated  Irom  their  servitude  ;  always  legislating  in 
favour  of  the  strongest  party  ;  and  invariably  pro- 
mulging  Bulls  in  direct  opposition  to  the  rights  ol 
conscience,  the  dictates  of  scripture,  and  the  ordi- 
nances of  Jehovah  Jesus.  Although  it  is  self-evident 
that  this  pretended  infallibility  could  not  possibly 
exist  among  men  without  a  delegation  of  heavenly 
influence  never  promised,  and  consequently  not  ne- 
cessary to  the  church  militant,  yet  it  has  been  claimed 
even  in  these  states  :  notwithstanding  the  parties  who 
wish  to  grasp  its  authority  are  deeply  convinced  that 
it  originated  in  '•'•  ignorance,  superstition  and  error,'* 
and  that  it  can  only  be  supported  by  the  reign  of  the 
same  unhallowed  principles. 

2.  How  was  the  Papal  Supremacy  exercised  ? 
The  authority  of  legislation  and  jurisdiction  claimed 
by  the  Pontiffof  the  Antichristian  Apostacy  is  unlim- 
ited and  supreme  :  "  h'^  not  only  protends  that  the 


160  KCCLESIASTICAL  HLSTOUV. 


LF.CTCRE  I.V, 


whole  power  and  majesty  of  the  church  reside  in  hi'=< 
person,  and  arc  transmitted  from  him  to  the  inlerior 
bishops,  but  asserts  the  absohite  inlallibiiity  of  ail 
decisions  and  decrees  which  he  pronounces  from  his 
lordly  tribunal."  According  to  the  genuine  Romish 
faith,  he  is  "  the  only  visible  source  of  the  universal 
power  Avhich  Christ  has  granted  to  the  Church ;  ail 
bishops  and  subordinate  otiicers  derive  from  him 
alone  llieir  authority  and  jurisdiction  ;  he  is  not 
bound  by  any  laws  of  the  church,  nor  decrees  of 
councils  ;  he  is  the  supreme  lawgiver  of  that  sacred 
•Community,  antl  his  edicts  and  commands,  it  is  in  tlie 
highest  degree  criminal  to  oppose  or  disobey." 

This  pontihcal  supremacy  disclosed  itself  in  tlie 
enaction  of  laws  for  tlie  government  of  the  churcli ; 
in  the  ecclesiastical  immunity  from  all  temporal  Ru- 
lers ;  and  in  the  disposal  of  Icingdoms  and  empires, 
as  a  prerogative  inalienably  attaclied  to  tlie  dignity 
and  office  of  the  Pope.  It  is  astonishing,  tliat  any 
portion  of  the  human  Himily  could  have  so  fr.r  relin- 
quished their  rights  and  privileges,  as  to  submit  to  a 
power  so  unfounded  in  its  nature,  so  depraved  in  its 
practice,  so  subversive  of  all  the  ligaments  of  society. 
and  so  derogatory  to  the  God  of  providence.  By 
the  effects  of  tliis  ungodly  domination,  the  \uiole 
order  of  the  world  w.as  "turned  upside  down."  At 
the  promulgation  of  a  papal  Bull — Cliristianity  and 
irreligion  lost  their  distinctive  characteristics ;  the 
church  of  God  was  turned  into  the  Synagogue  of 
Satan;  the  idolatrous  worship  of  Demons  was  res- 
tored under  infallible  authority;  and  tlie  most  ridicu- 
lous contradictions  were  obtruded  as  articles  not  only 
demonstrable,  but  of  self-evident  certainty.  The 
exemption  of  the  Priests  b-^longlng  to  tlie  Papal 
multitude  from  the  operation  of  national  laws,  trans- 
formed  tlie  wliole  state  of  society;  and  the  claims 
which  they  made,  to  adopt  their  own  larignnge,  con- 
sisted of  the  following  with  innumerable  other  siiiiilar 
assumptions.  '•  Angels  in  lieaven  dnrc  not  aspire  to 
the  autlioritv  o^  tlie  Priesthood.      The  Ilierarchs. 


CENTURIES    VII ^XVl.  167 

the  Priests  of  the  church  create  Iheir  Creator,  and 
have  power  over  the  body  of  Christ :  Ihe  Priesthood 
M'alketli  hand  in  hand  with  the  Godhead,  and  Priests 
are  Gods  surpassing  as  much  in  difijnity  the  royal 
oiiice,  as  ihe  soul  surpasselh  the  body  :  and  the 
power  of  Priests  is  so  great,  and  their  excellency  so 
noble,  that  Iieaven  depends  on  tliem.  Joshua  stop- 
])ed  the  sun,  but  Priests  stay  Christ;  the  creature 
obeys  Joshua,  but  the  Creator  obeys  the  Priest;  and 
whatever  God  is  in  heaven  the  Priest  is  on  earth." 
All  this  blasphemy  a  trae  Papist  most  conscientiously 
bjlie\es,  and  consequently  when  the  nations  were 
under  the  Romish  ecclesiastical  despotic  dominion, 
it  is  obvious  that  "  the  people  who  sat  in  darkness, 
saw  not  the  great  light,  and  to  them  who  sat  in  the 
region  and  shadow  of  death  no  light  sprung  up." — 
The  history  timt  we  shall  detail,  will  unfold  all  the 
abominations  which  this  abhorrent  principle  invaria- 
bly produced.  In  usurping  the  sole  authority,  as 
God's  vicegerent,  to  distribute  the  kingdoms  of  the 
ten  horns,  without  earthly  interference  or  opposi- 
tion;  the  Popes  excited  arsd  nurtured  an  almost  un- 
ceasing comb'istion  among  tiie  European  nations. 
Every  species  of  disorder  raged  in  consequence  of 
this  anti-social  nmchination.  The  Sovereigns  of  the 
}>eoplc  were  excommunicated,  anathematized  and 
♦lethroLied.  with  all  the  overwhelming  coercion  deriv- 
ed from  the  power  which  pretended  that  it  could 
'•  do  no  wrong,"  and  w  ith  all  the  intimidating  sanc- 
tions uliicii  a  catalogue  of  celestial  names,  the 
Pope's  suppositious  adherents  could  impart.  One 
monarch  was  ordered  to  embody  an  irresistible  force, 
that  he  might  be  enabled  to  drive  another  from  his 
dominions;  while  his  subjects  were  forbidden  upon 
pain  of  immediate  death  for  disobedience  to  papal 
mandates,  and  a  transfer  to  purgatory  or  the  quench- 
less fn'C,  to  any  defence  of  their  own  country  against 
the  ruthless  devastations  of  sanguinary  invaders  ; 
whose  peremptory  orders  directed  them  to  execute 
^ie  Pope's  curse,  by  fire  and  sword,  unpitying  massa 


168  FXCLESIASTICAL  JIISTOK^  I.K(  1  L'KE  IX. 

ere  and  universal  destruction.  I'^oni  iho  elfccls  ol' 
these  combined  despotisms  when  in  aclna!  exercise, 
the  ten  horns  oi"  the  Beast  frequently,  in  character 
and  simihtude,  approximated  a  geiieral  Aceldama, 
avast  lielil  ol' blood,  equalled  Old}'  by  the  degrada- 
tion ofignorance  in  which  the  people  were  entombed. 
and  by  the  almost  incredible  corruption  ot  maimers, 
which  like  a  pestilence  involved  in  its  ravages  all 
classes  ot  the  popedom,  iVom  the  Man  of  Sin  tlu'ough 
every  gradation,  even  to  the  lowest  and  most  silly 
Devotee  who  superstitiously  crossed  himself  with 
holy  water,  or  idolatrously  chaunted,  "  Ave  Maria 
Regina  coeli — -Hail  Mary,  Queen  of  Hoaveii." 

The  prominent  features  of  the  Motlier  of  Abomi- 
nations when  exhibited  in  detail  iuriiish  a  hideous 
display  of  the  state  of  the  Morld  at  Ihis  perio<l,  and 
should  excite  our  unfeigned  gratitude  to  God.  that 
we  have  not  been  delivered  over  to  her  abhorrent 
sway.  In  Avhat  a  most  degrading  vassalage  the  hu- 
man intellects  and  sensibilities  w^ere  encliained  dur- 
ing the  uncontrouled  reign  of  this  terrestrial  Vicege- 
rent of  Satan,  we  who  have  never  witnessed  scarcely 
the  most  minute  example  of  its  intolerance  and  op- 
pression can  form  no  very  accurate  idea.  Nor  would 
the  painful  scrutiny  of  the  j)ast  be  of  so  much  impor- 
tance, if  the  dignified  moral  lessons  which  it  incul- 
cates were  not  so  impressive  and  beneficial:  but  when 
the  examinatioji  produces  all  those  awakenings  of  soul 
which  attract  the  believer  to  "  the  throne  of  grace  ;'' 
and  whenhumiliation  in  lheretrospect,for  theextreme 
depravity  ot  our  ancestors,  is  conjoined  with  triumph 
in  anticipation,  that  the  Usurper  shall  be  dislodged 
from  his  odious  government,  and  that  he  'Mvho  is  ex- 
alted Prince  and  Saviour,''  shall  possess  undivided 
and  illimitable  authority  over  all  the  tribes  of  men  ; 
we  shall  engage  in  the  review,  invoking  the  celestial 
benediction,  that  our  labour  may  ••  not  be  in  vain  in 
the  Lord." 


Ttie  principal  diamcteristics  of  the  Roman  ^^postficy. 


From  the  Apostolic  epistles  we  deduce,  that  even 
in  the  first  ages  ofChristianity,  a  corruption  of  evan- 
gelical truth  was  attempted,  and  that  it  in  some  mea- 
sure succeeded.  -Worshipping  of  Angels,"  anti-evan- 
gelical "voluntary  humility  and  neglecting  of  the  bo- 
dy ,"had  been  partially  introduced;  all  which  Paul  de- 
nominates "  IVilUvorshipy  In  the  second  century 
commenced  the  monastic  opinions  concerning  celi- 
bacy; the  partial  institution  of  Fasts  and  Feasts; 
and  the  improper  use  of  the  sentence  of  excommuni- 
cation. During  the  third  age,  the  memorial  of  the 
Martyrs  was  solemnized,  oblations  for  the  dead 
were  instituted,  the  sacraments  were  deteriorated  by 
the  practice  of  the  trine  application  of  water,  and 
signing  the  forehead  with  the  cross  in  Baptism ; 
and  consecrated  bread  was  preserved  in  a  chest, 
that  the  Eucharist  might  be  carried  in  procession  to 
the  sick  and  dying.  Additional  degrees  of  ministers 
with  peculiar  vestments  to  each  order  were  arrang- 
ed and  appointed  ;  and  in  consequence  of  the  se- 
vere persecution  under  Valerian,  the  solitary  mode 
of  life  was  adopted.  After  the  establishment  of 
Christianity  by  the  triumphs  of  Constantlne  over  all 
the  idolaters,  the  corruption  already  existing  was 
augmented  by  the  collection  and  preservation  of 
Martyr's  relics,  to  M'hich  great  honour  was  apropri- 
ated ;  by  the  pilgrimage  to  Jerusalem;  by  the  en- 
largement ot  the  monastic  system  ;  by  an  additional 
innnber  of  festivals  ;  by  the  increase  of  the  rites  and 
ceremonies  with  vvhich  the  worship  of  God  was 
enrumbered ;  and  by  the  substitution  of  human  tra- 
<'itionsfor  the  Gospel  of  Christ. 

X 


170  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    H 

After  these  defections  had  completely  trammelled 
the  souls  of  men;  Pictures  and  Images  Mere  intro- 
duced into  the  Houses  of  prayer,  and  gorgeous  Al- 
tars were  erected.  The  doctrines  nnd  practice  ol 
Romish  Penance  were  partly  embodied  in  the  ec- 
clesiastical regulations  ;  the  deceased  Martyrs  were 
commemorated  by  feasts  at  their  Tombs ;  the  dead 
were  addressed  as  objects  of  prayer;  and  a  species 
of  worship  was  offered  to  the  suppositious  remains 
of  those  who  had  formerly  died  for  their"  testimony 
to  Jesus."  In  the  sixth  century  the  Lord's  supper, 
at  Rome  and  her  immediate  dependencies,  was  trans- 
formed into  a  sacrifice,  and  Mass  for  the  living  and  the 
dead ;  the  clergy  were  exempted  from  the  civil  ju- 
risdiction by  the  Emperor  Justinian ;  indulgences 
werf^atthis  period  allowed  ;  the  picture  of  the  Vir- 
gin Mary  was  carried  about  in  solemn  procession; 
and  the  unextinguished  wax-lights,  before  statues, 
images,  pictures,  and  upon  the  altars  in  the  churches, 
w^ere  also  enjoined.  The  year  606  is  remark  ible  ; 
being  the  era  when  Boniface  Bishop  of  Rome,  appro- 
priated to  himself  the  titles  of  Universal  Bisliop  and 
Supreme  head  of  the  church;  and  almost  immediately 
after  this  usurpation,  the  Pantheon  at  Rome,  the  anci- 
ent idolatrous  temple  of  all  the  Gods,  was  opened  and 
coisecrated  to  the  worship  of  the  Virgin  Mary  and 
all  saints.  The  sacramental  elements  v/ere  elevated 
on  high  for  adoration;  the  marriage  of  priests  was 
proiiouriced  unlawful ;  the  invocation  of  saints  was 
admitted;  and  to  consummate  the  wondrously  accel- 
erating ignorance  of  the  senseless  multitudes,  it 
was  authoritatively  determined  and  decreed,  that 
divine  service  should  always  and  in  every  nation 
be  performed  in  the  Latin  tongue  alone  : — this  event 
happened  in  the  year  666  ;  thus  most  curiously,  lu- 
cidly, and  exactly  determining  the  application  of 
John's  prediction.  These  events  were  in  the  suc- 
ceeding generations  followed  by  the  solemn  sanction 
ot  the  image-worship  ;  the  introduction  of  private 
massei  ;  abstinence  from  certain  meats;  novel  pil- 


CENTURIES    VII XVI,  171 

Trirnages  to  churches;  and  the  canonization  of  saints. 
At  this  period,  during  the  ninth  and  tenth  centuries, 
the  abomination  of  desolation  was  seated  in  the 
temple  of  God.  The  ecclesiastical  rulers  vvere  no- 
thing but  human  monsters ;  and  the  precise  wonder 
of  the  apocalyptic  vision  was  seen,  for  a  most  aban- 
doned woman  became  Pope.  At  the  commencement 
of  the  tenth  century,  the  doctrine  of  the  corporeal 
presence  of  Christ  in  the  eucharistic  bread  was  pub- 
licly maintained;  the  Beads  were  invented ;  and  the 
Baptism  of  Bells  authorized  :  in  short,  this  and  the 
following  centuries  are  peculiarly  infamous  in  the 
annals  of  the  world  for  their  superabounding  igno- 
rance and  vice ;  and  for  the  disputations  between 
the  Popes  and  the  Emperors,  and  the  Candidates 
for  the  Papacy,  which  perpetuated  an  almost  cease- 
less ferment  throughout  all  the  dominions  of  the 
Beast.  To  display  more  efTectually  the  stupidity  of 
the  European  people  of  those  generations ;  they  ad- 
mitted all  the  preposterous  absurdities  involved  in 
transubstantiation ;  implicitly  believed  in  the  phan- 
toms of  purgatory ;  united  most  cordially  in  the  pray- 
ers and  masses  which  were  offered  for  the  ransom  of 
the  souls  ingulphed  in  that  ideal  receptacle  of  the 
dead;  while  they  admired  and  confided  in  the  cer- 
tainty and  efficacy  of  the  most  bungling  counterfeits 
and  impostures,  as  the  genuine  miraculous  effects  of 
merciful  Omnipotence. 

Among  the  remarkable  events  of  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury, the  establishment  of  the  Canon  law  appears 
prominent ;  this  was  a  digest  of  all  the  decretals 
and  laws  promulged  by  the  earliest  councils  and  by 
the  first  Popes,  and  their  successors  in  every  age  ; 
and  having  received  the  pontifical  sanction,  being  an 
essential  part  of  education  in  all  the  universities,  and 
forming  the  rules  of  practice  in  every  Spiritual  Court, 
it  aggrandized  the  papal  power  to  its  utmost  terres- 
trial plenitude.  By  this  artifice,  the  cup  speedily 
subsequent  was  denied  to  the  Laity  in  the  Eucharist; 
Transubstantiation  was  definitively  established ;  and 


|72  ECCLESIASTICAL  HIST;0KY.  LECTURE    X. 

Auricular  confession  was  primarily,  but  peremptorily, 
absolutely  and  irrevocably  enjoined.  Notnillistand- 
ing  the  total  separation  of  the  Greek  church  from 
the  Kouian  communion  ;  the  organization  of  the 
Augustine  and  Carmelite  Friars,  and  the  Franciscan, 
with  the  Dominican  Monks, sustained  the  dignity  and 
claims  of  the  spiritual  despotism.  At  the  commence- 
ment of  the  fourteenth  century,  the  church  was  go- 
verned by  Boniface,  the  inventor  of  tlie  Romish  jubi- 
lee, a  monster,  of  whom  it  is  narrated,  '*  that  he  en- 
tered the  Papacy  like  a  Fox,  governed  as  a  Lion, 
and  died  like  a  Dog."  In  this  death-like  condition 
of  intelligence  and  religion,  the  greater  portion  of  the 
nominal  disciples  of  Jesus  remained;  episcopal  tyran- 
ny was  exercised  without  the  smallest  restraint ;  and 
the  pride,  luxury,  blasphemy  and  licentiousness  of  all 
orders  of  men  associated  with  the  apostate  Hierarchy, 
M^ere  predominant  and  uncontroulcd,  until  the  Lord 
roused  Luther  to  commence  that  fight  of  iaith,  which 
has  produced  a  totally  new  system  of  affairs.  Of  the 
wretched  state  of  the  people  and  of  the  necessity  of 
a  thorough  Reformation,  one  fact  alone  is  ample 
evidence.  Leo  the  tenth  then  Pope,  only  two  years 
prior  to  the  publication  of  Luther's  propositions 
against  Indulgences,  used  to  boast  among  his  Atheis- 
tic companions,  that  "  Christianity  was  a  profiiahle 
Fable.''''  If  such  was  tlie  Head  of  the  Church,  what 
must  the  Members  have  been  either  in  faith  or 
purity  ? 

This  concise  retrospect  of  the  progress  of  the  Pa- 
pacy induces  the  inquiry — whence  did  such  abhor- 
rent corruptions  spring,  and  by  what  means  were 
they  supported  }  After  the  victories  of  Constantino 
bad  exterminated  tbe  ravages  of  persecution,  during 
the  season  of  peace  and  prosperity,  and  especially 
by  the  boundless  liberality  of  that  Emperor,  the  min- 
isters of  the  church  were  elevated  to  high  earthly 
rank,  profusely  supplied,  and  magnificently  attended. 
Hence,  was  their  desolation  :  this  principle  was  not 
diminished  by  the  irraptions  of  the  ]NJort,hern  Barba- 


CLXTURIES    VII. XVl.  173 

liaris,  or  the  consequent  decreasing  revenue  attached 
to  their  otlices.  Covetousness  and  ambition  were 
paramount  ;  and  all  llie  principal  iniquitous  practi- 
ces which  we  have  briefly  enumerated,  only  tended 
to  whet  the  insatiable  voracity  that  characterized 
the  ecclesiastical  rulers  and  their  subordinate  agents. 
The  Romish  traditions  and  observances  were  artfully 
contrived  to  promote  the  acquisition  of  wealth  by 
the  chiefs  of  that  apostacy.  Purgatory,  and  Massej^ 
for  the  dead,  Avere  the  most  profitable  pursuit  in  this 
vain  world ;  for  what  donation  could  be  too  large  to 
deliver  their  friends  from  purgatorial  torments  ;  and 
how  could  they  sufficiently  repay  those  powerful  In-- 
tercessors,  who  alone  could  liberate  them  ?  and  as  all 
these  effects  were  produced,  according  to  their  own 
statement,  by  the  departed  saints  of  their  own  order, 
prayer  to  the  dead,  however  impious,  became  a  ne- 
cessary adjunct  of  the  system.  The  Indulgences 
and  Pardons  also  were  well  adapted  to  amass  wealth: 
for  a  price  was  fixed  for  every  crime  which  could  be 
committed  ;  and  the  payment  of  the  tax  absolved  the 
transgressor  from  all  punishment  by  human  laws,  and 
from  all  danger,  as  they  averred,  in  the  world  to 
come.  For  the  same  object,  were  invented  the  doc- 
trines of  supererogation,  the  superabundance  of  the 
Saints'  merits,  and  the  worship  of  Images  ;  because 
it  vas  of  no  use,  ais  they  promulged,  to  address  the 
Virgin  Mary  or  a  Saint  without  a  large  oblation  !  If 
we  subjoin  to  these  methods  of  pilfering  the  deluded 
multitudes,  the  sale  of  permissions  to  celebrate  the 
Jubilees,  and  the  necessity  of  valuable  offerings  to. 
be  presented  to  the  Saint  to  whom  they  made  their 
pilgrimages,  we  may  justly  coincide  with  an  old 
Popish  Commentator  upon  the  Apocalypse  ;  who 
declared,  that  "  the  Merchants  of  the  earth,  spoken 
of  in  the  eighteenth  chapter  of  that  book,  are  Priests 
who  sell  prayers  and  masses  for  money,  making  the 
House  of  prayer  a  house  of  merchandize." 

But  their  inordinate  ambition  is  equally  perceptible 
with  their  immoderate  avarice.     Every  machinatioq 


174  ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY.  LECTURE  X 

was  adjusted  to  produce  tliis  result.  By  transubstan- 
tiation,  it  was  allirmed,  that  they  transmuted  a  mor- 
sel of  bread  into  the  real  llesh  and  blood  of"  the 
Redeemer  ;  thus  exalting  the  Priests  above  the  An- 
gelic hosts  ill  dignity  ;  the  cup  in  the  Sacrament  of 
the  Supper  was  confined  to  the  Clergy,  that  they 
might  be  more  highly  reverenced  ;  and  their  worship 
was  performed  in  liitin,  that  the  Priest  who  could 
mutter  the  jargon  might  be  esteemed  as  of  a  superior 
order  of  intelligences.  Auricular  confession  involved 
a  virtual  surrender  of  all  personal  and  mental  inde- 
pendence ;  and  absolution  for  sin  placed  every  one 
who  confided  in  the  Priest's  authority,  as  it  respected 
his  individual  peace,  social  comfort,  and  reputation 
in  the  world,  entirely  under  this  tremendous  juris- 
diction. All  which  was  almost  inseparably  com^ 
pacted  together  by  tjie  exemption  of  the  clergy  from 
the  civil  law,  and  the  influence  of  that  thunder  which 
accompanied  the  exconimunications  of  a  Pope  su- 
preme and  infallible. 

The  encouragement  of  ignorance  constituted  anr 
other  source  of  the  lona;  continuance  of  the  Romish 
corruptions  and  superstitions.  Very  few  of  the  Priests 
understood  their  own  mass-books  ;  the  sacred  vol- 
ume was  scarcely  if  ever  seen  by  a  vast  majority  of 
the  ecclesiastics.  Even  at  the  period  of  the  Protest- 
ant Revolution,  Carolstadt  was  a  Doctor  of  Divinity, 
eight  years  before  he  had  even  read  the  Scriptures; 
and  the  highest  dignitaries  of  the  church  were  pro- 
foundly ignorant  even  of  the  existence  of  the  word 
of  God.  A  genuine  Papist  walketh  in  darkness  ; 
"  mystery  and  Babylon  are  his  badge  ;  blindness  is 
essential  to  liim."  In  Italy  at  a  former  era,  an  order 
of  Friars  existed,  who  were  denominated  the  Brethren 
of  Ignorance  ;  these  solemnly  swore,  that  they  would 
not  read,  know  or  learn  any  thing.  Popery  sprang 
from  Ignorance  and  Barbarism,  and  it  has  been  nur- 
tured l)y  the  same  odious  principles.  The  departure 
from  the  primitive  rules  and  spirit  of  the  Gospel ;  the 
frauds  whirih  were  niultiplied   beyond  credibility ; 


CENTURIES    VII XVI,  176 

the  depression  of  the  civil  powers,  by  excommuni- 
cating and  deposing  the  highest  oflicers  of  the  states ; 
and  the  wondrous  sanction  given  to  every  species  of 
vicious  abomination,  all  guaranteed  the  stability  of 
this  woful  superstructure,  which  in  its  ruin  will 
eventually  crush  all  its  adherents. 

That  all  ranks  of  persons  should  combine  tosup** 
poi-t  so  monstrous  an  anomaly  as  that  which  we  have 
now  contemplated,  is  to  the  highest  degree  astonish- 
ing. Emperors,  Kings  and  Princes  with  their  in- 
ferior Ministers  all  united,  and  almost  without 
cessation,  to  uphold  this  wretched  despotism ;  the 
watchmen  upon  the  walls  of  the  church  became  su- 
pine and  stupiiied,  until  they  were  nearly  overwhelm- 
ed in  an  irrecoverable  carnal-secufity;  and  the  masg 
of  the  people,  to  gratify  their  unhallowed  passions  by 
unrestrained  indulgence,  and  to  delight  their  senses 
^vith  pomp  and  amusing  ceremonial  exhibitions,  join- 
ed their  energies  to  maintain  a  system,  which  substi- 
tuted the  form  for  the  substance,  and  "  the  pagean- 
try of  devotion"  for  internal  sanctity.  Thus  gradually 
evangelical  doctrine  was  corrupted,  the  morals  of 
sociely  degenerated,  and  papal  usurpations  extended 
to  their  widest  possible  boundary  ;  so  that  the  once 
'••faithful  city  became  a  Harlot." 

A  more  distinct  notice  of  the  grand  points  in  the' 
Papacy,  than  this  cursory  enumeration  contains,  is 
requisite  to  enable  us  to  realise  the  importance  and 
necessity  of  the  change,  which,  through  the  divine 
blessing,  was  effected  by  the  Reformers. 

The  foundation  of  the  Roman  Plierarchy,  is  the 
supremacy  of  the  Pope  over  all  the  church ;  which, 
according  to  the  most  famous  Canonists,  is  the  very 
riubstance  of  Christianity.  By  this  prerogative  he 
alone  is  empowered  "  to  convene  councils;  to  ratify 
their  decrees,  to  ordain  Bishops:  to  enact  ecclesias- 
tical laws;  to  hear  appeals,  to  correct  censures;  to 
bind  and  loose  in  every  difficulty  ;  and  thus  becomes 
the  monarch  of  Christians  ;"  the  belief  of  whicb 
assumption,'  they  affirm  to  be  indispensable  to  salva- 


176  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    X, 

Uon.  But  this  position  is  evidently  a  mere  absurdity; 
(Contrary  to  the  dignity  of  the  Redeemer,  invalidated 
by  the  scriptures,  and  opposed  in  cvcvy  age,  from 
the  primary  exhibitions  of  episcopal  arrogance  at 
Rome,  until  Leo's  triple  crown  was  divested  of  all 
the  reverence  and  dread  which  had  previously  been 
its  iniierent  concomitant. 

By  this  change,  the  whole  government  of  the 
church  appointed  by  the  Gospel  was  subverted  ;  the 
people  were  despoiled  of  their  rights  ;  and  the  most 
atrocious  enormities  were  perpetrated  with  impunity. 

Connected  with  this  usurpation,  is  the  pretended 
Infallibility  claimed  by  the  Pope,  eombining  a  su- 
preme Potentate  on  points  of  jurisdiction,  and  a 
Judge  from  whom  no  appeal  exists  on  topics  of  con- 
troversy. This  stupendous  claim  however,  has  al- 
ways been  a  source  of  strife  ;  some  writers  have  de- 
posited the  celestial  attribute  in  the  Pope  individual- 
ly; many  have  transferred  it  to  a  General  Council; 
while  others  have  devolved  it  upon  the  Council  and 
the  Pope,  in  unison.  It  seems  at  length  to  have 
been  the  decision  of  a  large  majority  of  the  dispu- 
tants, that  it  is  the  immunity  of  the  Pope  to  decide 
the  true  sense  of  scripture,  and  all  articles  of  faith, 
because  he  cannot  err.  To  develope  the  irrational- 
ity of  this  dogma;  it  is  only  necessary  to  remember, 
that  among  the  Popes  have  been  Heretics  of  every 
degree,  from  Arianism  to  Atheism — now  it  is  impos- 
sible to  believe  that  a  privilege  belonging  to  God 
alone,  could  have  been  communicated  to  those  who 
blasphemously  denied,  the  existence  of  a  Oeity,  and 
the  immortality  of  the  soul. 

'•  The  tirst  article  of  their  theology  was,  that  there 
is  no  God;  the  second,  that  the  history  of  JesuB 
Christ  is  falsehood  and  imposture ;  and  tlie  third, 
that  a  future  life,  and  the  resurrection  of  the  dead 
are  mere  fables." 

But  they  were  n^t  erroneous  in  sentiment  only, 
they  were  most  outrageously  abominable  in  practice: 
rluring  the  dark  ages,  and  peculiarly  for  one  hundred 


CENTURIES    VII— XVW.  I'l? 

iind  fiftj  years  after  Pope  Joan,  the  marl  of  sin  as 
embodied  in  the  ruler  of  the  church,  manifested 
ali  that  was  execrable,  and  like  the  old  Dragon  his 
Master,  infernal.  '^The  Popes,  with  the  college 
of  cardinals,  aild  the  whole  host  of  the  clergy,  were 
abandoned  to  all.  kinds  of  impurity,  and  to  every 
species  of  enormity  and  crime,  so  that  they  resembled 
monsters  rather  than  men;  and  instead  of  being 
head  of  all  the  churches,  she  is  not  worthy  to  be 
accounted  one  of  the  smallest  toes  of  the  Church's 
feet."  If  this  he  insullicient  to  abrogate  the  claim  of 
the  pretendt?d  successor  bf  Peter,  a  third  tact  must 
for  ever  obliterate  it  ;  more  than  one  Pope  has 
existed  at  (he  same  time.  On  a  variety  of  occasions, 
two  and  three  Popes  have  exercised  this  appalling 
power;  anathematizing  each  other  and  their  mutual 
adherents,  with  the  same  acrimony  which  they 
evinced  towards  those  witnesses  who  prophesied  in 
sackcloth,  all  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast  having 
thus  been  infallibly  and  simultaneously  accursed ; 
find  "  filling  Europe  with  the  misery  of  their  conten- 
tions." To  these  considerations,  may  be  added  the 
wondrous  discrepancies  among  the  Popes  in  succes- 
sion ;  so  that  one  lias  annulled  the  canons  which 
his  predecessor  decreed  ;  thus  establishing  an  infal- 
libility of  palpable  contradictions. 

The  pleas  on  behalf  of  the  infallibility  of  councils 
ftre  equally  invalid  ;  for  it  is  the  incontestable  de- 
duction, certified  by  the  proceedings  and  decisions 
of  every  large  assembly  of  every  name  and  deno- 
mination, collected  for  ecclesiastical  purposes  of 
jurisdiction  and  legislation^  since  the  period  when 
Constantine  became  sole  undisputed  Master  of  the 
ancient  Roman  empire,  that  the  principles  of  cor- 
ruption are  inherent  in  those  bodies,  and  that  with 
few  exceptions,  tho  snme  motives  impel  them  which 
originally  engendered  tlie  Mother  of  abominations, 
iivarice  ixnd  cunhifion.  Whether  therefore  we  scrutinize 
the  pretensions  of  the  Popes  alone,  or  of  councils 
onlv.  or  of  both  those  wofuld  be  "Lords  of  God's 
Y 


178  KCCLESIASTICAL  HlSTORy.  LECTURE  X. 

Heritage''  in  conjunction,  we  arrive  at  the  same  con- 
clusion; that  they  are  intruders  upon  Immanuel's 
inalienable  prerogative,  as  the  Sovereign  Judge  of 
all.  It  liencr  Ibllows,  that  this  fundamental  position, 
by  whicli  all  tlie  apostacy  is  defended,  is  without  the 
shadow  of  reality.  A  universal  visible  church  is 
merely  an  imaginary  phantom  ;  even  were  it  an 
existing  body  the  Bishop  of  Rome  can  offer  no  claim 
to  be  its  head  ;  (he  office  even  of  Pope  is  an  irrational, 
"  unscriptural  and  very  penucious  usurpation,  a 
most  atijacious  and  impious  assumption,  v/hich 
distinctly  avows,  that  the  Redeemer  is  either  absent 
from  his  people,  or  negligent  of  their  interests,  or 
incompetent  to  supply  and  protect  them."  What  a 
daring  impostor  thus  to  nullity  the  Mediator's  office, 
and  tlie  Saviour's  promise  !  and  as  to  the  pretext  of 
an  impossibility  of  error  in  decision ;  infallibility  is 
needless  in  itself,  contrary  to  our  state  of  probation, 
renders  the  Gospel  ministry  an  unnecessary  institu- 
tion, and  Avould  be  of  no  use,  unless  all  the  disciples 
of  the  infallible  Judge  were  emlucd  with  the  same 
liberation  from  ignorance  and  error.  When  with 
tliese  considerations,  we  connect  the  discord  be- 
tween the  Popes,  the  impossibility  of  determining 
who  possesses  this  mysterious  authority,  and  the  cer- 
tainty that  these  pretenders  to  infallibility,  Popes 
and  Councils,  have  in  every  age  almost  uniformly 
departed  from  the  "  Scriptures  of  truth,"  we,  like 
the  Apostle  John,  are  ready  to  "  wonder  with  great 
admiration,"  at  t!ic  sight  ol' this  "  Mystery,  Babylon 
the  Great,  who  reigneth  over  the  kings  of  the  earth." 
By  the  doctrine  of  transubstantiation  which  de- 
clares, tiiat  after  the  Romish  Priest  at  the  Eucharist 
has  pronounced  the  words,  "  Hoc  est  corpus  meum, 
this  is  my  bodv,"  the  bread  and  wine  disappear,  and 
the  real  body  and  blood  of  Christ  are  substituted ; 
every  dictate  of  scripture  and  reason  are  subverted  : 
and  yet  this  most  incomprehensible  and  contradictory 
of  a"!  human  absurdities,  we  are  commanded  to  be- 
lieve, or  we  shall  be  acctu'sed.    This  is  one  of  the  corA 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  179 

ruptions  of  the  Lord's  supper;  another  is,  that  the  bo- 
dy and  blood  of  Christ  are  really  and  properly  sacrifi- 
ced in  every  mass,  which  by  a  renewed  {presentation 
of  it  to  the  Father,  is  a  propitiation  ibr  the  living 
and  the  dead.  "  The  Mass  is  not  only  a  sacrile- 
gious profanation,  but  a  total  annihilalion  of  the 
Lord's  supper,  for  it  includes  most  insulting  blas- 
phemy to  the  Redeemer ;  obliterates  the  cross  and 
passion  of  Christ;  and  prevents  us  from  reflecting 
upon  the  death  of  the  Saviour,  and  consequently 
deprives  us  of  the  benefits  which  it  was  intended  to 
bestow."  A  third  deterioration  of  this  Sacrament, 
consists  in  a  denial  of  the  cup  to  the  people ;  but 
this  destroys  the  very  nature  and  object  of  Christ's 
institution.  It  was  designed  by  our  gracious  Saviour 
to  "shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come."  The 
Popish  interpretation  and  practice  completely  con- 
ceals and  extinguishes  this  grand  purpose  of  the 
appointment. 

That  unseen  region,  Purgatory,  owes  its  visionary 
existence,  to  this  deterioration  of  the  communion; 
This  was  a  most  valuable  land  to  all  the  parties  con- 
cerned in  the  traffic;  tor  it  enriched  the  selling  Priest, 
and  comforted  the  stupid  purchaser.  It  is  delineated 
by  some  as  a  station  exactly  equi-distant  from  heaven 
and  hell ;  by  others,  nearer  the  regions  of  wo ;  but 
by  all,  rt  is  represented  as  a  state  of  comparative 
torture,  because  its  residents  are  excluded  from 
Paradise.  Into  this  receptacle  of  tlie  dead,  all  Ca- 
tholics, we  are  assured,  v/ho  have  not  obtained  a 
sufficiency  of  merit  for  their  admission  into  heaven, 
immediately  enter  after  tlieir  dissolution.  In  this 
wretched  condition,  they  were  doomed  by  the  Monks 
and  Friars  to  continue,  without  hope  of  deliverance  ; 
unless  the  certain  specified  sum  was  paid  for  masses 
and  prayers  for  their  redciFiption :  hence  originated 
an  almost  incredible  anomaly  ;  the  departed  saints, 
the  besotted  multitudes  were  tauglit  lo  believe,  in- 
terceded for  the  living  ;  and  notwiilistanding  they 
were  addressed  in   tlic  language  of  })rayer  by  thoi>e 


180  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTUKki    X- 

in  the  body  for  their  assistance  ;  yet  it  v.as  equally 
requisite  for  the  survivors  to  make  oblations  and 
implore  mercy  for  them ;  still  this  most  unaccount- 
able medley  of  odious  pilfering  and  igrtorance  pro- 
duced neither  disgust  nor  astonishment;  although 
if  the  most  obtuse  reflection  had  been  even  mo- 
mentarily admitted,  it  would  instantaneously  have 
been  perceptible,  that  this  procedure  decided  the 
possession  of  heavenly  joy,  not  by  faith,  repentance 
and  holiness,  but  by  the  ability  to  satiate  the  raj)a- 
cious  demon  of  covetousness.  As  a  necessary  con- 
sequence of  this  manceuvre,  all  restraint  upon  vitios- 
iiy  was  removed  ;  and  the  soul  was  represented  as 
secure  for  eternity,  provided  an  ample  price  was 
paid  for  present  absolution,  and  iuture  ransom; 
thus  combining  the  robbery  of  their  deluded  vota- 
ries in  both  worlds. 

In  immediate  collection  with  these  topics,  is  the 
dogma  which  they  proiimlge  concerning  the  work^ 
of  supererogation  and  Indulgences.  Tliis  asserts, 
'•  that  some  holy  men  have  performed  more  good 
works,  than  God  requires  of  them,  or  were  ne- 
cessary to  secure  their  own  salvation,  and  that 
this  surplus  merit  is  deposited  in  the  treasury  of  the, 
church  of  which  the  Fope  holds  the  keys,  that  he 
may  confer  portions  at  his  pleasure  upon  those  who 
are  deficient  in  good  works."  This  stupendous  here- 
tical theory,  obviously  sanctioned  the  doctrine  of 
Indulgences  ;  which  is  farther  sustained  by  the  posi-, 
tions.  that  punisluncnts  remain  after  sin  forgiven; 
that  there  is  a  purgatory  ;  and  that  these  merits  of 
supererogation,  may  be  and  are  applied  by  (he 
church.  This  system  was  regulated  by  the  utmost 
exactitude  of  calculation,  and  Iranslbrmed  (he  whole 
Hierarchy  into  a  '•  great  Custom  House  for  sin."  Yet 
this  is  also  pronounced  an  obligatory  part  pf  the 
faith  of  every  Papist ;  and  that  which  is  extremely 
surprising  is,  that  notwithstanding  (he  sale  ot  these 
Indulgences,  formed  the  basis  of  the  glorious  Refor- 
Ination ;  they  are  yet  vended   and  purchased  with 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  18| 

nimost  uiKliminislied  solicitude,  throughout  all  those 
countries  ^^hic}i  still  sincerely  adhere  to  the  Beast, 
and  "  receive  his  mark  in  their  foreheads." 

Pilgrimage  to  the  tombs  and  the  images  of  the 
dead  saints,  that  the  devotee  might  obtain  the  bene- 
/its  of  their  intercession  jn  heaven  on  their  behalf, 
through  the  apphcation  of  a  large  donation  to  the 
Priest,  the  guardian  of  his  statue  on  earth,  is  ano- 
ther of  the  impositions  with  which  the  Roman  Apos- 
tate has  burdened  tlie  church. 

Extreme  unction,  or  the  anointing  of  the  sick 
with  oil  as  thej  are  departing  from  this  world,  after 
all  hopes  of  the  patient's  recovery  are  extinguished, 
is  a  most  deceptive  and  soul-killing  ceremony.  I^ 
is  represented  as  a  Sacrament  by  which  Grace  is 
conferred,  sin  remitted,  and  the  sick  are  comforted  ; 
and  the  sentence  of  anathema,  is  definitively  pro- 
nounced against  all  those  who  deny  that  the  ancient 
gift  of  healing  from  which  the  practice  was  profess- 
edly adopted,  had  not  been  transformed  intq  a  sa- 
cred and  sure  passport  for  the  dying  into  the  kingdom 
of heaven. 

Auricular  confession  and  the  prohibition  of  mar- 
riage to  the  Priests  have  been  thus  forcibly  described. 
^'  The  immeasurable  confidence  poured  by  all  the 
individuals  of  his  charge  into  the  bosom  of  one  man  ; 
and  the  almost  absolute  influence  which  it  gives  him 
over  them ;  must  be  engines  which  an  unprincipled 
Priest  can  turn  to  the  utmost  dreadful  purposes  of 
intrigue  and  villainy.  Not  only  the  virtue  and  hap- 
piness of  individuals,  but  the  vital  interests  of  fami- 
lies and  often  of  mighty  kingdoms,  have  thus  been 
subject  to  the  management  of  a  confessor,  and  sacri- 
ficed to  his  bigotry  and  wickedness.  These  things 
are  now  for  the  most  part  shrouded  in  secrecy ;  but 
Avhen  the  day  shall  arise,  that  "will  bring  to  light 
the  hidden  things  of  dj>rkness" — what  depths  of  ini- 
<i[uity  thus  concealed,  will  it  not  disclose !  The 
forced  celibacy  ol  the  clergy,  in  combination  with 
the  practice  oi"  private  confession,  often  proves  the 


182  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    X, 

occasion  of  criminalities  which  poison  the  very 
springs  of  domestic  virtue,  and  which  the  degraded 
state  of  public  morals,  in  the  countries  where  they 
prevail,  scarcely  urges  to  disguise.  On  this  crying 
abomination,  many  members  of  the  Roman  commu- 
nion have  complained  often  and  vehemently,  but  in 
vain.  By  the  decrees  of  councils,  the  dispensation 
of  popes,  the  decision  of  canonists,  and  by  the 
general  practice  of  tlie  church  of  Rome,  the  con- 
cubinage of  Priests  is  adjudged  a  less  offence  than 
their  marriage.  But  why  is  this  anti-scriptural  and 
iniquitous  law  thus  permitted  to  pollute  the  world  ? 
Because  it  cuts  off  their  clergy  from  family  attacli- 
ments  and  patriotic  connections ;  because  it  more 
closely  intwines  their  personal  feelings  with  the  inte- 
rests of  their  order ;  because  it  thus  makes  them  an 
army  of  devoted  J  anizarios  of  the  Pope  ;  and  because 
it  powerfully  attracts  into  the  coirers  of  their  church 
whatever  property  the  Priest  may  acquire." 

Two  additional  particulars  must  be  illustrated  to 
complete  the  catalogue  of  those  more  obvious  con- 
tradictions to  the  word  of  God  which  elicited  the 
protest  of  the  early  Reformers  against  the  Roman  Hi- 
erarchy :  Ignorance.  This  was  developed  in  two  forms 
—the  prohibition  of  the  Scriptures  in  the  vernacular 
tongues;  and  the  invariable  and  universal  adoption  of 
the  Latin  language  as  the  veliicle  of  devotion. 
"  Search  the  Scriptures,"  is  the  injunction  of  the  Re- 
deemer ;  but  the  Pope  has  placed  them  in  the  prohib- 
ited catalogue.  If  the  reason  be  asked,  why  tiie  peo- 
ple are  precluded  from  a  perusal  of  the  sacred  volume, 
the  reply  is  easy — the  Hierarchs  desire  to  promote 
the  ignorance  of  the  multitude ;  and  are  perfectly 
convinced  that  if  the  inspired  records  were  generally 
examined,  their  own  abominations  and  superstitionB 
will  be  fully  discovered.  Hence,  one  of  their  most 
famous  defenders  candidly  urges  as  an  argument  a- 
gainst  the  translation  and  circulation  oftiie  Bible; 
''  that  when  the  people  see  that  things  are  required 
by  the  Church  of  Rome  to  be  done  by  them,  as  if 


CEXTURiEs  vri. — xvr.  183 

they  were  of  Apostolical  command,  and  yet  cannot 
find  a  word  of  them  in  Scripture,  they  will  be  inclin- 
ed to  murmur."  The  principles,  which  Rome  incul- 
cates concerning  divine  truth,  are  repugnant  to  all  in- 
telligence. That  Church  decrees,  that  their  tradi- 
tions are  of  identical  authority  with  the  written  word, 
and  of  equal  validity  with  the  gospel  and  epistles  of 
the  Apostles  and  Evangelists  ;  that  the  unlimited  pe- 
rusal of  the  divine  oracles  in  the  common  languages  of 
the  country  is  injurious;  and  that  the  Bible  as  inter- 
preted by  ever}^  individual's  construction,  is  not  a- 
d  ipted  to  all  capacities;  that  it  does  not  reveal  all 
the  truth  requisite  to  our  salvation ;  that  it  is  not  suf- 
ficiently certain  for  a  sure  confidence;  and  conse- 
quently, that  it  has  not  one  of  the  qualities  necessary 
to  constitute  the  rule  of  faith.  With  these  impulses 
and  views,  it  excites  no  surprise,  that  ail  the  remain- 
ing energy  which  the  Pope  and  his  agents  possess, 
should  be  exerted  to  the  utmost  against  the  present 
endeavors  to  disseminate  the  knowledge  of  the  won- 
derful works  of  God,  by  means  of  Sabbath  Schools, 
and  the  distribution  of  the  "glorious  Gospel  of  the 
ever  blessed  God."  Their  ignorance  became  the 
mother  of  their  devotion,  '•  and  to  seek  informatioa 
was  heresy." 

But  this  even  would  have  been  ineffectual,  had 
they  not  conjoined  to  it  the  performance  of  all  their 
devotions  in  a  xlead  language;  and  this  fact  while  it 
lucidly  fulfils  John's  prophecy,  completely  debarred 
all  hope  of  change  or  amendment.  The  Latin  was, 
and  is,  as  little  understood  by  the  Priest,  as  by  his 
auditory  :  and  it  is  the  decision  of  the  learned  among 
them,  upon  that  part  of  Paul's  epistle  to  the  Corin- 
thians, when  he  forbids  the  use  of  an  unknown  lan- 
gtiage,  that  "  it  is  not  necessary  to  understand  tha 
v/ords  of  Prayer  ;  it  is  enough  that  people  can  tell 
that  this  holy  orison  is  appointed  them  by  the  church ; 
more  is  not  requisite."  The  Egyptian  darkness, 
which  still  hovers  over  all  those  parls  ot  the  world 
where  the  Roman  superstitions  and  apostacy  predom- 


ij8i  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTOnv.  Lf.CTURE    X 

iiiate  in  full  vigour,  is  therefore  a  natural  cousoquorice 
<if  their  utiineauing  Avorship,  and  their  tol.i!  desti- 
tution of  the  ligliL  and  the  truth.  In  this  abe^urditv. 
Popery  commenced;  by  its  eilect*.  tliat  system  im-^ 
been  perpetuated  nearly  1200  years;  and  it  Avill  b^ 
demolished  by  the  universal  ditfusion  ol  t!ie  B'llAe  m 
nil  the  existing  languages  spoken  amono-  mankind. 

Idolatry. — The  appropriation  of  divine  worship  to 
•creatures;  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  to  Angels,  to  depart- 
ed Saints,  to  the  relics  of  Saints,  to  the  cross,  to  tin 
sacramental  wafer,  to  images,  to  statues,  and  to  pic- 
tures :  as  it  is  one  of  the  most  obvious,  so  it  is  oiie  o^ 
the  most  heinous  properties  of  that  "falling  away'' 
which  is  connected  with  a  submission  to  t[»e  Beast. 
"  He  is  an  idolater  who  exalts  any  thing  beyond  the 
measure  of  human  honour,  as  if  it  v/ere  of  divine  sub- 
limity," this  was  the  declaration  made  against  the  an- 
cient Bacchanalians;  and  to  prove  its  application  to 
the  Papists,  we  shall  examine  the  parallel  between 
the  Pagan  and  Christian  Romans. 

Both  parties  acknowledged  and  adored  one  su- 
preme God,  but  they  superadded  inferior  objects  of 
worship ;  the  heathens  denominated  (lioir  heros,  de- 
mons; and  without  doubt  justly — the  Catholics  desig- 
nated their  intercessors,  as  angels  a'ld  saints  ;  but  the 
difference  is  merely  nominal. 

The  old  Greeks  and  Romans  and  Barbarians  form- 
ed images  and  Statues,  for  each  of  their  imaginary 
Deities — the  majority  considerin<>;  them  merely  as  re- 
presentatives and  symbols  of  their  Gods  :  very  few  of 
the  Papists,  probably,  if  they  were  seriously  ex;ini- 
iiied,  would  say  that  their  Agnus  Dei,  or  crucifix,  or 
rmage,  was  truly  and  vitally  what  it  appeared  exter- 
nally to  be  ;  yet  they  bow  down  to  them,  serve  them, 
and  honor  them  with  religious  ceremonies. 

Polytheism  pretended  to  distinguish  between  llie 
worship  appropriated  to  Jupiter,  and  that  which  was 
offered  to  the  minor  idols  ;  so  the  Papist  contrives  to 
exculpate  himself  from  the  imputation  of  being  an 
Idolator — by  expunging  the  second  commandment 


>from  (lie  decalogue;  and  by  a  frivolous  plea,  that  he* 
worships  God  directly  and  absolutely  ;  but  the  saints, 
relics,  Szc.  indirectly  and  relatively.  What  difference 
is  perceptible,  between  IsraePs  sin^-^who  danced  and 
played  before  the  Calf;  and  tJie  Papist's  festivals 
and  processions,  around  tlie  crnciiix  and  the  Agnus 
Dei  ? 

Tfio  veneration  and  inyf^calion  of  angels  were  an 
ancient  transfer  from  Paganism  to  Christianity,  or 
Paul  would  not  have  reproved  them  in  his  episfle  to 
tiie  Saints  and  faithful'Brethreii  in  Christ  at  Co!o":se; 
but  these  are  expressly  eiijoiiied  by  the  Councils,  ar;d 
ibrms  of  prayer  have  becii  composed  for  each  spina's 
worship.  This  is  part  of  ev*u-y  Papist's  creed,  nMch 
is  pronounced  to  be  infjiliihiy  scriptural ;  and  whicli 
every  oliicer  in  the  Roman  Hierarchy,  from  the  Uesst 
witli  Ids  triple  crown  to  the  meanest  Janitor  in  a 
convent,  all  swear  that  they  believe.  "  The  saints 
reigning  together  with  Ciu'ist,  are  to  be  vor.Jiipped 
and  prayed  unto  ;  for  they  do  offer  prayer  mito  God 
for  us,  and  their  relics  arc  to  be  had  in  veneratioo.- 
The  images  of  Christ,  of  the  blessed  Virgin,  tS.<e 
mo-rher  of  God,  and  of  other  Saints,  ought  to  be  had 
and  retained,  and  due  honour  and  veneration  ought 
to  be  given  them."  We,  in  this  Republic,  feel  little 
or  no  aversion  from  the  Papacy,  because  we  fear  it 
not  :  butour  scjcurity  fVom  its  cruel  fangs,  diminishes 
not  its  odious  qualities,  nor  will  it  impede  its  certain 
dfvst ruction.  That  you  may  comprehend  something 
of  the  idolatrous  attachment  to  the  Virgin  Mary, 
i'rslen  to  (he  impiety  of  their  most  oracular  wnters„ 
S'he  is  entitled  "the  Queen  of  Heaven,  to  whom  the 
King  of  blings,  the  Heavenly  Father  lias  given  half 
f'>i"iiis  kii;gdom:  God  hath  ilivided  his  kitigdom  with 
the  V  irgiii  Mary:  All  things  and  persons  serve  to  the 
Rmpire  of  the  Viigin,  even  God  hiftiself :  and  no' 
pipf*Mence  exists  between  the  Mothers  milk  and  the 
Son's  blood  :  from-  her  fulness,  the  whole  sabred 
Trinity  receives  its  glory  ;"  and  when  dying,  th^^ 
olose  tiieirm9rteil<K)urse  by  ti*e,se  words.  '' O  blesse<I- 
Z 


186  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURfe    X 

Virgin,  Mother  of  God,  into  thy  hands  I  commend 
my  spirit."  But  more  of  this  horrid  blasphemy  must 
not  be  quoted. 

The  whole  Avorld  was  subdivided  among  the  Saints. 
All  the  diseases  of  the  body  ;  every  mechanical  em- 
ployment ;  all  kinds  of  business,  with  the  persons 
engaged  in  them,  were  allotted  to  the  diiierent  invis- 
ible celestial  Protectors  ;  and  mercy,  grace,  pardon, 
protection,  deliverance,  and  all  temporal  blessings, 
are  supplicated  from  their  benevolence.  Of  this 
idolatry  we  h;ive  a  curions  exemplification  in  tlic 
city  of  Padua  in  Italy.  St.  Anthony  was  the  Patron 
of  Hog-drivers.  A  chapel  is  there  erected  to  his 
honour,  in  the  interior  of  which  is  this  inscription 
under  his  image  : 

Exaudit,  quos  non  audit  et  ipse  Deus. 
"  This  Saint  hears  those  whom  God  himself  doth  not 
hear;"  and  this  is  the  general  Popish  dogma  :  that 
prayer  oflered  to  the  Saints  and  the  Virgin  Mary, 
will  be  more  etficacious  and  prosperous  than  if  ad- 
dressed to  the  Supreme  ;  consequently,  the  Father 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  excluded  from  devotional 
regard. 

Not  only  is  idolatrous  worship  manifested  towards 
human  pei-sons  dead,  but  also  to  created  things.  One 
of  the  canons  asserts,  that  "  the  sacred  bodies  of 
Martyrs  and  others  living  with  Christ  are  to  be  wor- 
shipped by  Believers,  and  the  relics  of  the  Saints  are 
to  be  had  in  veneration."  The  worship  of  the  cross 
is  an  essential  part  of  Popery,  the  very  mark  of  the 
Beast  and  his  imag^;  and  every  piece  of  rotten  wood, 
in  a  Priest's  hands,  is  metamorphosed  into  a  rem- 
nant of  the  true  cross  on  Calvary.  Several  pieces  for 
the  devotees  to  kiss,  have  been  exhibited  even  in 
this  Union  ;  so  that  the  quaint  remark  of  an  old  Pu- 
ritan is  not  hyperbolical ;  "  had  the  wood  of  the  cross 
grown  from  the  first  day  it  was  set  in  the  earth  till 
now,  and  borne  crosses,  it  would  not  have  filled  so 
many  carts,  as  that  which  now  is  in  several  parts  of 
Christendom  given  out  and  adored  for  the  true  cross 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  187 

of  Christ.'"     Respecting  the  Sacramental  Bread  or 
Host,  it  is  thus  infalHblj  detenniiied ;  "  all  (he  faith- 
ful people  of  Christ,  do  give  to  this  Holj  Sacrament, 
in  their  veneration  of  it,  the  worship  which  is  due  to 
the  true  God  :"  and  their  practice  accords  Avith  (li«e 
canon  ;  for  when  the  Priest  elevates  the  Host,  he  and 
all  others  bow  down  and  adore  it;  and  this  idolatry 
is  exhibited  in  these  states,  equally  as  in  Peter's 
Church  at  Rome.     Images,  Statues,  and  Pictures  re- 
ceive ail  the  adoration  from  the  Papists  which  the 
Bacchanalians  presented  to  their  blocks  of  wood  and 
marble.     These  are  the  words  of  the  law  ;  "  the  im- 
ages of  Christ  and  the  Mother  of  God,  who  was  aU 
ways  a  Virgin,  and  of  other  Saints  also,  are  to  be  had 
and  retained,  and  due  honour  and  veneration  are  to 
be  paid  to  them :  and  the  honour  which  is  given  to 
images  is  referred  to  the  Prototypes  represented  by 
them ;  so  that  by  the  images  w  hich  we  kiss,  and  before 
which  we  kneel,  we  adore  Christ  and  reverence  his 
Saints,  whom  those  images  represent."     One  of  their 
expositors  denominated  Angelic,  and  of  undeniable 
authority,  declares,  that  '•  the  same  honour  is  due  to 
the  image  as  to  the  original  ;  and  therefore  a  cruci- 
fix must  be  adored  with   the  same   adoration  which 
we  ofTer  to  Christ."'     As  an  unavoidable  result  of  this 
doctrine,  they  ascribe  the  augmentation  of  Faith  and 
good  works  to  the  images  ;  they  pray  to  them  for  an 
increase  of  grace,  and  to  blot  out  their  sins;  they  fly 
to  them  in  all  danger  as  a  refuge,  and  confide  in  them 
as  their  most  powerful  Saviours. 

The  Lord  instituted  two  Sacraments,  but  the  Pa- 
pists have  augmented  that  number  to  seven;  so  that 
in  addition  to  the  evangelical  appointments,  they 
enumerate  these  mysteries,  the  merely  visionary  off- 
spring of  tlieir  own  corruptions.  Confirmation  of 
persons  arrived  at  years  c\f  discretion  by  the  imposi- 
tion of  a  Bishop's  hands — Penance,  or  what  Paul 
calls,  "  neglecting  of  the  body'' — Extreme  Unction, 
by  which  it  is  pretended  the  sick  obtain  remission  of 
sin^  and  deliverance  from  disease,  or  the  salvation  of 


180  ECCLCblASTU-AL  UlanORV.  LLv  TURK   X^ 

Hi:  sou] — l^cclesiafctical  orders,  comprisiiip;  Beafllp^:, 
ileaders,  Exorcists,  Aco^othysts,  Swb  Deacons.  Den- 
cons  and  Priests,  all  of  which  they  atfinn  that  Chiist 
himself  had  been  ;  and  th.e  ceremonies  used  at  the 
jniliatioM  into  each  of  which,  they  a>^?ert.  cause  in- 
\'lsibie  grace — and  Matrimony  ;  and  by  their  laws 
concernina;  this  ordinance  of  God  ;  their  prohibitions, 
dispensations,  aiid  reguhitions,  mei-ely  for  the  sake 
of  amassing  money;  they  transformed  the  world 
into  a  "den  of  abominations." 

A  condensed  summary  of  our  principal  objections 
against  the  Romish  system  of  corrupted  Christianity, 
shall  close  tliis  catalogue.  The  Papal  Kierajcdiy 
-h:  s  no  sanction  or  authority  for  its  existence  from, 
the  sacred  volume ;  but  is  clearly  described  and  di- 
reclly  coudemned,  by  Daniel,  Paul  and  John,  from 
its  evolutiofi  to  its  tui.il  tragic  catastrophe.  By  its 
operation,  the  essential  principles  of  individual  reli- 
gion are  demolished  ;  /or  it  denies  salvation  to  all 
Avho  do  not  practice  their  superstiiious  ritual,  ex- 
punges the  rigfil  of  private  examination  and  judgmeist 
on  religious  topics  ;  it  "  proiiibifs  liberty  of  mind, 
speech,  writing  and  printing:  it  defends  its  dosi^uiiis 
by  chains,  dungeons,  racks  and  flames  :  it  debases 
the  soul  and  character  of  man  :  it  is  the  fo  of  educa- 
tion, science,  improvement  and  reason:  and  it  S]>rea<ls 
over  the  whole  frame  of  society,  the  net  of  clierishec^ 
ignorance  and  abject  submission" — comlfjuing  the 
most  solemn  exterior  of  "  sanctity,  with  crimes,  the 
atrocity  of  which  would  make  even  a  savage  to  shu<i- 
der;"  and  engenderirig  the  most  obdurate  and  unim- 
prcssible  iisfidelity  and  irreligion.  Absinxl,  perni- 
cious, and  unscriptural  doctrines  are  enjoined  as?  ar- 
ticles of  faith,  bv  tlje  Beast  ;  who  also  enacts  laws 
and  ordinances,  both  of  discipline  and  worship,  by 
his  own  usurped  authority;  denouncing  the  irrevoca- 
ble anathema,  a[ul  the  tori/jents  of  the  evedastiiig 
abyss  of  wo,  upon  all  those  who  deny  [jis  assumed 
claims,  and  wiio  refuse  to  submit  to  his  uu'iallowed 
vonvaiaTidtj  and  •.government. 


eErvruRiEb  vii — XVI.  189 

We  have  already  been  reminded  of  some  of  these 
unholy  appointments — /ecclesiastical  oiiicers  ;  the 
t'anonization  of  the  dead  ;  and  the  establishment  of 
numerous  feasts  and  fasts;  with  a  most  tiresome  cat- 
alogue of  frivolous  mummeries,  all  tending  to  insult 
reason  and  to  burlesque  Christianity  ! — We  have  al- 
so perceived  that  the  importance,  usefulness,  and  ne- 
cessity of  divine  revelation,  are  totally  superseded 
by  the  Papal  traditions.  Besides,  the  Roman  Hier- 
archy encourages  the  vilest  Despotism  of  every  spe- 
cies ;  for  it  prostrates  reason  and  conscience,  and 
consequently  fosters  the  most  absolute  private  and 
public  tyranny.  This  is  evinced  by  their  excommu- 
nicatioi5S,  auricular  confessions,  monastic  institutions, 
the  pretended  rights  of  the  church,  and  by  their  tre- 
mendous and  ceaseless  persecutions — the  "' Mother 
of  Harlots  is  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the  Saints, 
with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus." 

The  wliole  system  which  we  have  thus  briefly 
-depicted,  is  therefore  a  manifestly  audacious  inno- 
aation  on  the  religion  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  and  destruciive  of  all  our  fundamental  prin- 
ciples; which  assert  "  the  sole  legislative  authority 
and  ^premacy  of  Immanuel  over  the  faith  and  the 
consciences  oi" men;  the  unrestricted  use  of  the  sa- 
cred volume,  and  its  sufficiency  as  the  rule  of  reli- 
gious belief  and  obedience ;  and  the  unlawfulness 
of  human  dictation  in  matters  purely  belonging  '  to 
t^se  salvation  of  the  immortal  soul. 

After  this  cursory  investigation  of  the  constituent 
n\aterials  of  the  grand  '»  falling  away''  predicted  hf 
Paul,  and  our  examination  of  the  qualities  of  this 
*'  man  of  sin,  the  son  of  perdition ;"  who  can  resist 
the  sensibilities  excited  by  the  impresive  comparison:, 
which  is  exhibited  between  the  countries  degraded 
by  his  sway,  and  the  lands  which  the  beams  of  the 
Sun  of  Righteousness  irradiate  and  cheer.  Two 
^devotional  principles  are  hence  enkindled  in  every 
heart,  which  is  in  any  degree  animated  by  Clirist- 
icuiity — gratitude  and  prayer. 


190  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    X. 

How  thankful  should  v/c  feel  to  that  God  in  whom 
'f'  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being,"  that  our 
residence  has  not  been  determined  by  his  providen- 
tial arrangements  in  the  dominions  of  the  Beast! 
You  Avill  remember,  that  the  Papal  system  bears  now 
a  very  dilTerent  exterior  from  its  garb  during  the 
period  which  we  have  contemplated;  and  especially 
in  the  Protestant  countries  where  it  exists,  and.  is 
tolerated.  Its  grosser  and  more  repulsive  appenda- 
ges are  necessarily  banished  from  observation ;  and 
yet  in  this  respect,  a  wide  diversity  is  discoverable 
between  the  Roman  adherents  in  this  Republic,  and 
those  who  dwell  amongst  the  Reformed  in  Europe. 
In  the  very  nature  and  situation  of  things  around  us, 
with  every  prospect  which  the  human  mind  can  an- 
ticipate, it  is  almost  impossible  that  the  enormities 
of  that  departure  from  the  living  God,  can  attain 
any  permanent  or  extensive  influence  in  this  Union. 
Notwithstanding  this  conviction,  we  know,  that  ma- 
ny instances  have  occurred  in  these  states,  in  which 
the  genuine  character  of  the  Beast  has  been  devel- 
oped, in  spite  of  all  the  political  and  moral  re- 
straints which  confine  him  within  very  small  limits. 
We,  in  reference  to  our  social  and  national  regula- 
tions upon  ecclesiastical  topics,  display  to  the  world 
a  condition  previous.ly  unknown  in  the  history  of 
mankind.  The  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
is  liberated  from  every  fetter,  disconnected  from  all 
terrestrial  associations,  and  left  to  exert  its  own 
authority  and  energy,  independent  of  government- 
al sanction  and  support.  Within  our  precincts,  no 
Pope  fidminates,  his  Legate's  anathemas  are  merely 
subjects  of  ridicule,  no  Dominican  is  armed  -with 
inquisitorial  prerogatives,  no  legalized  murderer 
stands  ready  to  complete  an  Auto  da  Fe;  and  even 
a  .Jesuit's  envenomed  cunning,  malevolence  and  vil- 
lainy, lind  in  our  state  of  society,  and  the  principles 
which  govern  it,  a  silent  but  ])erfectly  etiicacious 
aiUidote.  Who  can  be  suiliciently  gratefid  ibr  the 
light  and  the  truth  whicli  Ave  ei\joy,  for  the   sacred 


CEXTURIES    VII. XV f.  I9l 

privileges  which  we  experience  ;  and  especial^^ 
when  we  subjoin,  that  as  ihr  as  mortal  perspicacity 
can  extend,  perpetuity  is  inscribed  upon  the  present 
condition  of  our  christian  possessions  ;  with  the  su- 
per-addition, that  they  will  continually  multiply, 
in  number,  inlluenceand  expansion,  until  the  morn- 
ing of  that  illustrious  day,  when  "  all  the  ends  o/ 
the  earth  sliall  see  the  salvation  of  God."' 

But  if  we  do  in  some  measure  justly  appreciate 
the  value  of  our  own  immunities;  if  we  are  in  any 
degree  capacitated  to  comprehend  the  wondrous 
contrast  between  the  deluded  devotees  of  the  Beast, 
and  the  sincere  enlightened  followers  of  the  Lamb 
of  God  ;  and  if  we  exult  with  rapture  in  the  prospect 
of  that  delightful  millennium,  when  darkness  and 
ignorance,  infidelity  and  irreligion,  superstition  and 
idolatry  shall  all  be  seized  by  the  Angel  who  shall 
"comedown  from  heaven,  having  the  key  of  the 
bottomless  pit  and  a  great  chain  in  his  hand,"  and 
who  shall  lay  ''  hold  on  the  Dragon,  that  old  serpent 
who  is  the  Devil,,  and  Satan,"  and  shall  bind  these 
unhallowed  destroyers  of  the  peace  of  mankind  with, 
their  Author  "  a  thousand  years,  and  cast  him  into 
the  bottomless  pit,  and  shut  him  up,  and  set  a  seal 
upon  him,  that  he  shall  deceive  the  nations  no  more, 
till  the  thousand  years  shall  be  fulfilled  ;"  then  we 
cannot  need  any  argument  to  enforce  the  urgent 
necessity  of  those  restless  implorations,  which  shall 
ascend  to  '•  the  throne  of  grace  by  day  and  by  night," 
that  the  great  Head  -of  the  church  would  without 
delay,  make  "Jerusalem  the  praise  and  the  glory  of 
the  whole  enrth." 

That  this  felicitous  universal  reign  of  "the  Prince 
of  the  Kings  of  the  earth"  is  rapidly  approaching, 
the  spirit  of  the  times  in  which  we  liye,  undeniably 
prognosticates.  We  have  seen  that  In  the  year  of 
the  Christian  era,  534,  Justinian  proclaimed  the 
Bishop  of  Rome  Chief  of  all  the  churches  upon  eartn  ; 
which  in  fact  was  one  of  the  grand  primary  eventj\ 
that  conduced  to  the  establishm.cnt  of  the  Papai 


i92  i;ccLF.5i.\.-.iit:A!.  iiiSTORV.  lectures 

Hierarchy  :  add  1260  years  to  that  period  ;  and  wc 
have  a  sitiuiltaneous  rebellion  against  the  authority 
of  thrj  Bpajit,  not  only  in  that  political  earthquake, 
the  French  Revolution;  hut  in  the  general  <;oin- 
inencement  of  the  monthly  meeting  tor  special  pray- 
er, tfio  organization  of  Missionary  Institutions,  'fract 
and  Bible  Societies,  and  the  great  excitement  among 
the  Protestants,  which  has  produced  that  ceaseless 
exertion  of  Christian  philanthrophy,  that  explores 
every  attainable  district  to  disperse  the  treasure  of 
the  Gospel — and  to  proclaim  the  "glad  ti<iings  of 
great  joy,  Christ  and  him  crucitied  to  all  people.'^ 
In  this  holy  employ,  let  us,  everyone  without  excep- 
tion, also  participate;  remembering  that  the  God 
whom  we  invoke,  is  a  God  hearing  prayer;  that  no 
sounds  are  more  acceptable  in  the  court  of  lieaven, 
than  the  devout,  fervid,  sincere  petitions  which  in 
their  object  commingle  the  glory  of Immanuel,  with 
the  redemption  of  sinners;  and  that  no  duties  moro 
effectually  promote  our  own  peace  and  growth  m 
grace,  than  the  quickenii}g  effects  of  that  charity 
which  circumscribes  Avithin  its  f<anctified  sphere, 
the  present  evangelical  consolations  and  harmony, 
and  the  future  unalterable  blessedness  of  myiiads  of 
perishing  sinners,  destined  to  an  immortality  of  ex- 
istence. Let  us  therefore  "  pray  lor  the  peace  oi' 
Jerusalem;"  and  continually  urge  at  his  throne,  the 
all-important  and  exhilarating  supplications  uttered 
by  the  Psalmist  of  old;  "God  be  merciful  unto  us 
and  bless  us;  that  thy  way  may  be  known  upon  cartli, 
am\  thy  saving  health  to  all  nations  ;  let  the  people 
praise  thee,  O  God,  let  all  the  people  praise  iliee; 
God  shall  bless  us,  and  all  the  ends  of  the  earth  shall 
fear  him.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  and 
let  the  whole  earth  be  filled  wjth  his  glory. — Ameii 
and  Amen." 


T^Iu  ineans  i)ij  ichich  the  Papal  apostacy  was  sustained. 


Although  the  system  of  corruption  which  we  have 
portrayed  was  artfully  constructed  to  defy  external 
assault,  and  combined  within  itself  the  materials 
calculated  to  maintain  its  existence  with  undiminish- 
ed energy,  yet  like  all  other  terrestrial  superstruc- 
tures, it  was  too  frail  to  withstand  the  revolutions  of 
time.  It  is  a  curious  analogy,  that  the  ancient  Roman 
civil  despotism  was  supported  about  the  same  period 
of  duration,  as  prophecy  declares,  that  the  modern 
ecclesiastical  tyranny  shall  triumph  ;  and  as  it  com- 
prized the  lapse  of  several  generations  from  the  pri- 
mary evolution  of  the  Beast's  features,  until  their 
(Complete  display  in  the  "Mystery  of  iniquity;"  so 
three  centuries  have  already  revolved,  and  the  de- 
molition of  the  Oragon's  successor  has  not  been  con- 
summated. We  are  hence  induced  to  inquire  ; 
hy  what  wondrous  agency,  a  government  so  odious, 
irrationaland  mischievous,  so  derogatory  to  Jehovah, 
and  so  debasing  to  man,  during  many  hundreds  of 
years,  and  nearly  over  the  whole  of  Europe,  could 
hav-^  been  authoritatively  founded  and  irresistibly 
estaolished.  It  is  obvious,  from  the  delineation  of 
its  fundamental  qualities;  that  although  all  its  parts 
tended  to  promote  its  own  stability,  yet,  so  stu- 
pendous and  extensive  a  mass  of  abominations  in 
theory  and  practice  must  i necessarily  have  demand- 
ed exterior  assistance. 

The   deterioration   of  evangelical  doctrine,    the 
degeneracy  of  the  moral  standard,   and  the  usurpa- 
tion of  SDiritual  power  by  the  ^*Man  of  sin,"  which 
A  2 


194  rcclesiastlcal  history.  lecture  y. 

are  the  three  grand  constituents  of  Popery  were 
gradually  developed.  To  illustrate  this  subject,  it 
may  be  remarked  in  general,  that  when  the  Church 
of  Chrie-t  had  survived  the  tempests  ol' Persecution, 
and  enjoyed  repose  under  Imperial  patronage,  earth- 
1t  fZ;randeur  was  desired  by  the  JHshops,  especially 
of  the  principal  and  metropolitan  cities  ;  and  it  is 
said,  that  after  Constantino  had  enriched  the  ClcrfEv 
with  such  immense  revenues,  a  voice  was  heard  in 
the  heavens,  saying,  "This  day  poison  is  poured  into 
the  Church;"  whether  this  fact  be  true  or  not.  tha' 
dread  result  has  been  exhibited.  It  has  already 
been  evinced,  that  ecclesiastical  power  and  emolu- 
ment, with  their  concomitants,  pride  and  volup- 
tuousness, were  inseparably  conjoined  to  the  pre\  a- 
leiicy  of  the  Uomish  doctrines  concerning  Purgiitory, 
Masses  for  the  dead^  Indulgences,  Pardons,  Taxes 
for  sin,  Jubilees,  Absolutions,  and  all  the  other  train 
of  inventions  by  which  this  medley  of  craft,  adapted 
to  every  kind  of  persons,  was  contiruied.  Of  the 
ignorance  which  constituted  another  cause  of  the 
rise,  sway  and  progress  of  Babylon  the  great,  unde- 
ninble  instances  are  upon  record,  which  almost  defy 
credibility.  With  the  demolition  of  the  Western 
empire;  the  Arts.  Sciences,  and  Languages  were 
totally  neglected.  One  of  the  Synods  commaiided  the 
Clergy,  who  could  not  say,  Domine  miserere  nostri, 
in  Litin.  to  pray.  Lord  have  mercy  upon  us,  in  their 
own  hviguage.  Luther  states,  that  at  the  period  of 
the  Reformation,  the  Arch-Bishop  of  Ment5^,  acci- 
dentally finding  a  Bible,  after  reading  in  it,  declared, 
"I  knowM^ot  what  this  book  is,  but  it  is  all  against 
us:"  and  the  great  Relbrmer  avers,  that  even  he  wap 
twenty  years  old,  prior  to  his  perusal  of  the  sacred 
Scriptures. 

The  preference  of  Human  traditions  to  the  primi 
tive  rules  and  institutes  of  Christianity,  involved  ar. 
additional  aid  to  the  cause  of  Popery.     One  of  thej 
decisions  of  their  Law  is,  thafthe  Decretals  of  the 
Pope  are  of  equal  autharit;i.with  inspired  Revelation,'' 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  1^95 

nnd  it  is  a  general  opinion,  that  it  is  preferable  to 
lose  the  law  of  God   than  the  canons  of  the  Pope. 
To  sanctify  the  astonishing  niumKiery  contrived  by 
the  prime  devotees  of  the   Beast;  every   possible 
cheat,  iraud,  falsehood  and  deceit  were  invented  ; 
fully  exemplifying  Paul's  prediction  ;  his  *' coming  is 
after  the  working  of  Satan,  with  all  power,  and  signs, 
and  lying  wonders,  and  with  all  deceivableness  of 
unrighteousness" — comprising   feigned   Revelations, 
counterfeit  visions,  suppositious  and  forged  mirach^s, 
pretended  relics  and  imaginary  saints.     "  If  the  peo- 
ple will   be  deceived,"    said  one    oi   the    Cardinal 
Legates  to  the  people  who  thronged  to  ask  and  re- 
ceive his  blessing,  when  he  was  concenxd  for  their 
silly  devotion  and  bigotry,  '-in  the  name  of  God,  let 
them  be  deceived."      In  fact,  the  Papal  Apostacy 
originated  partly  in  this  source,  and  was  perpetuat- 
ed by  its  energies  ; — it  was  a  combination,  as  them- 
selves attest,  "  of  Forgery  and  Falsehood,  Lies  and 
Fiction,    Impostures   and   Religious  Juggles,    Holy 
Cheats  and  pious  Frauds."    The  four  nails  hy  which 
the  gracious  Redeemer  was  suspended  on  the  cross, 
bad  incalculably  multiplied.     That  Arck-Bishop  of 
Ms^ntz,  who  was  totally  ignoraiitof  the  existence  even 
of  the  Gospel,  boasted  and  pretended  to  exhibit,  "the 
Flame  of  the  Bush,  which  Moses  beheld  burning." 
In  Holland  they  displayed  for  show  "  a  leg  of  the  Ass 
on  which  Christ  rode  into  Jerusalem."     At  Isenach 
in  Germany,  Ijuther  vStates,  that  he  saw  an  image  of 
the  Viigin    Mary  with  her  child   Jesus.      When   a 
wealthy  person  came  thither  to  pray,  the  child  mov- 
ed away  his  face  from  the  sinner  to  his  mother,  as  if 
he    refused  to  hear  his   prayer;    and   the   Suppliant 
applied    to  the   Mother,    to    crave  her    mediation 
and  intercession.     Ifthe  person  gave  liberally,   the 
«'hild  turned  to  him;  and  if  he  promi  ed  to  increase 
his  donation,  then  the  child   was  very  friendly  and 
attectionate,  and    extended   hi?  arms   to   him  in  the 
figure  of  a  cross.    The  Image  was  hollow;  and  behind 
it  stood  one  of  the  monks  who  directed  its  nioticus; 


l06  ECCLESIASTICAL  HibfOu/.  LECTl.  RK    XT 

while  tho  stupid  votaries  of  the  Idol  confided  hi  its 
approbation  and  displeasure,  as  the  superualural 
elTect  of  Divine  providence,  which  declared  the  nill 
of  God  through  the  iiistrumcntalitj  of  this  diabolical 
Pageant.     J. 

One  of  tlie  worst  rff'ets  attached  to  the  decep- 
tions practiced  by  the  Papal  writer!?,  is  the  sysleip 
v;bich  they  had  consecrated ;  not  only  to  forge  legen- 
dary tales,  and  constitutions,  laws  and  canons,  in 
the  name  of  the  Apostles  and  their  immediate  swc- 
cessors  of  theearliest  Christian  antiquity  :  but  ihey  al- 
so cancelled,  adulterated,  altered,  and  vitiated  as  far 
as  was- necessary  to  s«inction  their  abominable  tr?,- 
ditions,  the  various  works  of  the  ancient  Autliors, 
the  copies  of  which  escaped  from  the  recesses  of  the 
Monasteries  into  the  hands  of  mankind  ;  hencc^  it  is 
often  extremely  dSificuIt  to  decide  upon  the  genuine 
truth,  and  to  distinguish  it  from  fabulous  imposture. 

Universality  of  profession  has  long  beer,  the  pleu 
(if  the  Papist  in  behalf  of  his  anti-christian  system  ; 
yet  in  the  authorized  Popish  translation,  this  is  the 
annotation  on  Revelation  13:  1.  *"This  Beast  is  the 
universal  company  of  the  wicked,  whose  head  is 
Antichrist  ;  and  the  snme  is  called  Babylon."'  But 
"  all  the  world  wondered  after  the  Beast  r'  so  that 
the  allegation,  numbers  and  nmltitudes,  by  wldch  it 
is  attempted  still  to  sustain  the  Papacy,  is  manitestly 
a  proof,  that  the  system  of  corruption  denominated 
religion,  which  is  at  Rome,  is  that  boast  which, 
"goeth  into  perdition." 

The  depression  of  the  civil  authorities  and  the  su- 
premacy over  all  the  Sovereign  powers  within  the 
dominions  of  the  ten  horns,  were  the  grand  machina- 
tions by  which  the  Dragon's  Representative  secureij 
and  maintained  his  exaltation.  To  the  meanest 
ecclesiastical  r;.dherent  of  the  Papacy,  merely  as 
such,  was  attached  a  dignity,  superior  to  that  of 
the  most  magnificent  civil  Potentate  ;  and  as  a  regu- 
lar deduction  from  this  rebellious  dogma  th'^  Pope 

'*.  Appei)d?s  IX. 


CEMUUIES    Vll AM.  fOJ 

decreed  for  them  a  total  exemption  from  all  JLirisdic- 
lion  in  the  common  courts  oi'judicature.  One  oi' the 
arguments  used  to  prove  this  position,  was  derived 
from  the  Mosaic  law,  "  thou  shalt  not  piow  with  nu 
0\  and  an  Ass."  Those  in  spiritual  Orders  were- 
Oxen;  while  the  Laity  were  Asses;  and  cpnsequentlj, 
it  v/as  a  tlegradation  for  a  Father  Confessor  to  ac- 
knowlc(ige  his  own  criminalities  before  a  temporal 
tribunal.  Hence,  it  is  an  authoritative  decision 
among  the  Papists,  which  has  often  been  practically'' 
exemplilled,  that  •'  rebellion  against  the  nationai 
power,  is  not  treason  in  a  Popish  Clergjinan,  be- 
cause he  is  not  subject  to  its  sway."  However  much 
circuinsiances  oblige  its  partizans  to  conceal  this 
anti-social  principle  in  modern  ages;  the  doctriiie  is 
still  maintained,  and  has  been  publicly  asserted, 
even  in  this  Union ;  so  that  Popery  is  ever  one  and 
the  same,  an  incurable  pestilence  to  the  world.— 
The  old  Puritan  inference,  drawn  by  the  early  Re- 
formers, is  therefore  incontrovertible;  that  a  tho- 
roughly bigoted  Papist  cannot  be  a  good  citizen, 
because  he  is  bound  by  a  foreign  allegiance,  para- 
mount to  the  claim  and  law  of  the  land  in  which  he 
resides. 

The  doctrine  established  by  the  Lateran  Counc?! 
Ln  1215,  that  Pppes  possess  authority  to  depose  the 
executive  authorities,  to  absolve  the  people  from 
fheir  oaths  and  obligations,  to  dispossess  the  civil 
piovernors  of  their  offices,  and  by  force  to  subject 
tiic  nations  to  tyrants  of  their  own  nomination;  ha? 
been  often  illustrated  by  actual  example  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast.  One  modern 
instance  is  too  impressive,  not  to  be  cursorily  notic- 
ed. In  the  late  Neapolitan  attem.pt  to  obtain  "  the 
Rights  of  Man,  it  is  probable,  that  the  same  "  un-Holy 
Alliance,"  who  had  previously  despoiled,  devastated 
and  dismembered  Poland,  would  not  so  speedily 
and  efTectually  have  crushed  the  rising  temple  of 
Freedom,  had  not  the  intimidations  and  Bulls  of  the 
Tenant  of  the  Vatican,    "'  the  Beast  whc5  hath  two 


198  COCLLlSiASTRAL  HISTORV.  LECTURF.    >.i. 

horns  like  a  Ipimb  ami  who  spake  as  a  dragon.*'  de- 
bilitatetl  the  e!ier^i(?s  and  decomposed  the  unity  oi" 
the  patriots,  by  rousing  all  their  supcrsliliousaiarni» 
of  excotmnunication  here,  and  beyond  the  grave, 
their  dread  of  purgatory  and  wo  everlasting.  ^I'he 
mystery  is  not  that  Pius  Vli.  should  still  blaspiieuj- 
ously  arrogate  this  attribute  of  the  Godiiead  ;  but 
that  a  protestant  Monarch,  a  popisii  Emperor,  and 
a  Greek  Tzar,  a  Trio  naturally  and  essentially  dis 
cordant,  sliould  combine  and  claim  tl^e  unhallowed 
co-operation  of  Satan's  grand  visible  terrestrial  vice- 
gerent, to  consummate  their  schemes  ot'despotism. 
and  their  opposition  to  the  progressive  melioration 
of  the  besotted  devotees  of  the  Anti-christian  Apo^- 
tacy,  is  an  anomaly,  which  can  be  solved  only  by 
tho  recollection  ;  that  ambition  transforms  its  desires 
into  necessities,  that  Royalty  sanctifies  every  crime 
however  enormous,  and  that  the  variance  between 
Tierod  and  Pontius  Pilate,  could  be  'removed  only 
hy  the  scorn  and  crucifixion  of  fmmanuel. 

Nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  and  acceptable 
to  the  \otaries  of  vice,  than  the  Papal  system  in  its 
actual  opeifttion.  Heathen  and  Antichristian  liome 
were  exactly  assiniilated  ; — the  former  was  originally 
an  asyl'jm  for  outlaws,  a  refuge  lor  Prolligates,  and 
the  rosidenee  of  rulHans;  the  latter  was  a  sanctuary 
for  the  abuuioned  of  every  possible  class.  The  an- 
cient ra'^tropolis  was  built  on  fratricide  for  its  corner 
'otone,  Romulus  having  sl.dji  his  brother,  Remus;  and 
popery  was  authoritatively  erected  upon  the  murder 
of  the  Eu]})eror  Mauritius — the  usurper  Pliocas.  wlio 
butchered  the  whole  Fmperial  Family,  expiated  his 
aggravated  iniquity  hy  the  establishment  of  the  Man 
of  Sin,  as  a  commutation  for  his  slaughter,  and  as  a 
COinpensation  for  Papal  absolution. 

It  is  evident  from  the  history  Avhich  will  subse- 
quently be  reviewed,  that  as  tiie  Roman  Apostacy 
commenced  in  bloodshed  and  violence,  so  in  a  great 
degree  it  is  indebted  for  its  existence,  to  the  same 
diabolical  machinations.     Like  its  sister  imposture 


OLiVi  CRIES    Vll XVI.  1,99* 

laveiiled  at  Mecca,  it  has  augmented  its  disciples, 
principally  bv  Ibrce.  The  i\rabiaM  Apollyon  employ- 
vi\  the  sword  mid  military  coercion  ;  iire  and  iaggot 
were  the  instrumeuts  of  conversion  introduced  by 
-iiim  who  sittctli  in  the  temple  of  God,  as  God." 
Compulsion  and  cruelty  have  augmented  the  disci- 
ples oftjie  western  Antichrist :  &o  that  o:iths,  and  cov-r 
enanls  are  phantoms,  wlien  their  rage  is  to  be  exercis- 
ed upon  a  denounced  Heretic.  Persecution  is  an  es- 
sentialcharacteristic  of  the  papacy,  and  so  revengeful 
is  its  temper,  that  if  it  can  glut  its  revenge  with  blood, 
by  no- other  means,  it  will  exercise  its  carnivorous  and 
insatiable  appetite,  even  on  its  own  deluded  votaries; 
ofv.iiich.  tlie  simultaneous  murder  of  every  French- 
maiiin  the  Island  of  Sicily,  when  the  bells  rang  for  e- 
vening  prayers,  afford  a  modern  and  memorable  tes- 
timony. Hence  it  may  be  added,  in  the  language  of 
a  late  distinguished  opponent  of  the  Roman  Hierar- 
chy, '•  he  who  can  clwosc  such  a  religion^  deserves  to  be 
M'ithin  its  grasp,  that  it  may  be  his  punishment,  afl 
well  as  his  crime." 

One  of  the  most  inexplicable  of  all  the  inquiries^ 
connected  with  this  subject,  is,  how  men  so  scandal- 
ously outrageous  and  vile,  as  was  a  large  majority 
of  the  Popes,  in  fiict,  such  proverbially  protligate, 
profane,  impious,  lewd  murderers,  that  they  have  no 
oouMterpai't  in  society  except  among  the  Cardinals, 
and  the  chief  retainers  of  the  Apostacy  ;  could  have 
been  supported  during  so  long  a  period  }  One  solli- 
tion  only  can  be  adduced — the  universal  degeneracy 
iiicliiied  all  orders  of  the  people'^  to  embraceevildoc- 
trines,  and  to  engage  in  false  worship  ; '  while  the  ea- 
sy commutation  for  their  transgressions  by  means  of 
;^uricular  confession,  penance,  and  the  tax  for  absolu- 
tion, uiiitcd  their  energies  to-  maintain  a  system, 
which  indulged  their  vicious  propensities  to  their 
Nvidest  range,  and  cpiieted  their  consciences  by  the 
guarantee  of  pardon,  security  and  peace. 

In  the  more  extended  investigations  of  this  period, 
Tt  is  manifest  that-  the  most  inimical  persons,  llie  most 


.200  EX-CLEglASflGAL    HibTORy.  LLf  x*-UIlL  XJ. 

discordant  purposes,  and  the  most  confiicling  events, 
by  the  cea&(dess  cunning,  and  artifices,  and  exertions 
oi'iiie  Hierarchs  and  tiicir  agerjts,  lost  tiioir  contra- 
dictory qualities,  and  were  amalgamated  into  one 
machine,  Avhose  perpetual  motions  ijivariably  tended 
to  the  same  object;  the  exaltation  oftlie  "Man  of 
Sin."  Some  of  the  dignified  orders  of  society  suc- 
cujiibed  to' the  Papal  claims  from  superstition  ;  others 
from  servility ;  many  from  expediency,  and  the  mi- 
j^ority  from  terror.  Its  long  protracted  cleva!ion  and 
supremacy,  may  also  be  partly  attributed  (o  policy; 
'"  Princes  and  Emperors,  that  they  themselves  mioht 
attain  to  nlore  arbitrary  sway,  suffered  the  clergy  to 
use  their  liberty  to  an  excess.  They  often  needed 
their  assistance,  and  found  it  necessary  to  indulge, 
and  permit  them  to  tyrannise  in  spiritual  causes,  that 
they  might  exercise  temporal  despotism ;  until  they 
could  not  restrain  them  from  usurping  the  civil  pow^ 
cr."  But  this  connivance  and  aid  vv6ui(l  have  been 
jnsuiTicientto  fortify  so  stupendous  an  edifice  of  eve- 
ry diversified  evil,  >vhich  like  the  "smoke  out  of  the 
bottomless  pit,  darkened  the  sun  and  the  air,"  had 
not  ihe  forced  and  mmatural  celibacy  of  the  Prif^sts, 
who  were  dispersed  throughout  the  ten  horns  of  ihe 
beast,  embodied  around  the  Pope,  a  universal  and  in- 
calculable army  of  inseparable  adherents  ;  whose  li- 
centiousness, luxury  and  pride  could  not  otherwise 
have  bisen  satiated ;  and  liad  not  these  same  Monke 
and  Friars  obtained  paramount  and  irresistible  ifi- 
flucncc  over  all  descriptions  of  the  people,  from  the 
highest  to  the  lowest,  through  each  intermediate 
gratle,  by  being  the  authorised  depositories  of  every 
individual's  character,  secrets  and  reputation,  in  con- 
gequencc  of  the  information  imparted  at  private  con- 
fession. The  grand  stamina  of  the  Romish  Apostacy 
hov/ever,  consisted  in  the  facility  with  which  the  ma^ 
jority  of  the  people  in  the  various  nations  imbibed 
those  erroneous  doctrines  which  sanctioned  their  de- 
praved inclinations,  and  in  their  attachment  to  that 
pompons  ceremonial  whlcJi  rendered  their  eupposi' 


CENTURIES    Vll XVI.  201 

tious  devotions  and  sensual  gratification.  Like  their 
ancestors  they  would  have  worship})ed  any  Pageant 
exalted  before  them;  '•'  at  what  time  the  Chaldeans 
heard  the  sound  of  the  cornet,  tlute,  harp,  sackbut, 
psaltery,  dulcimer,  and  all  kinds  of  music,  theyfrll 
down  and  worshipped  the  image  which  wasset  up"  by 
Nebuclr.idnezzar.  Thus  splendour  and  music  excited 
the  infatuation  of  the  ignorant  and  seduced  modern 
Babylonians;  so  that  "'all  ranks  and  degrees  of  persons 
clubbed  to  support  the  Romish  delusions  ;  and  every 
one  contributed  his  earnings,  some  more  and  some 
less,  to  manufacture  tliis  Golden  Calf^ 

But  it  is  necessary  to  develope  in  their  extensive 
ramifications,  the  more  potent  and  eilix^acious  causes 
of  that  supj)ort  by  which  the  Beast  attained  and 
perpetuated  the  plenitude  of  his  supremacy  ;  and 
they  may  all  be  classed  under  four  general  denomi- 
nations— Jlrtijice — Terror— Enthusiasm-— and  Pcrsecti' 
lion. 

L  Artifice. 

The  temporal  supremacy  of  the  Popes  originated 
in  their  adhesion  to  the  image-worship,  when  that 
idolatry  was  opposed  by  all  the  imperial  authority 
of  Leo.  That  magnificent  ceremonial  established  by 
the  successors  of  Jupiter's  devotees,  so  strongly 
attracted  the  attachment  of  the  deluded  multitudes, 
that  they  promised  the  '•  Man  of  Sin,"  all  their  sup- 
port, in  discarding  the  government  of  the  Constan- 
tinopolitan  Emperor.  To  sanction  this  proceeding- 
after  Pepin  had  murdered  the  king  of  France,  be 
transferred  to  his  sole  independent  jurisdiction,  the 
domains  in  Italy  which  have  since  been  considered 
the  Pope's  patrimony. 

By  various  frauds,  increasing  in  impudence  and 
number,  as  opposition  to  the  papal  authority  display- 
ed itself;  and  by  transforming  every  event  into  a 
coadjutor  to  their  designs,  they  finally  established 
their  odious  despotism. 

One   of  their  manceuvres,  was  a  systematic  inter- 
ference in  all  the  political  affairs  of  the   different 
B3 


202  fcCCLESlASTlL-AL  HISTOKy.  LECTURE    XI. 

European  kingdoms.  The  grand  object  of  solicitude 
was,  that  the  nations  should  continue  in  a  ceaseless 
division  and  contention.  The  Roman  Pontiff,  all  the 
discordant  parties  professed  equally  to  revere,  and 
to  his  interposition  they  all  appealed.  Hence,  every 
emergency  of  this  kind  augmented  his  power ;  and  by 
rendering  him  in  universal  practice,  the  final  Arbi- 
trator of  all  the  royal  disputes,  the  Potentates  elevat- 
ed him,  by  their  own  admissions,  to  a  dignity  which 
far  transcended  their  own;  and  this  enveloped  with 
all  the  spiritual  majesty,  with  which  ignorance  and 
idolatry  combined,  had  encircled  God's  terrestrial 
Vicegerent,  as  he  was  blasphemously  denominated, 
eventually  rendered  measures  beyond  the  ingenuity 
and  power  of  man  to  contrive,  indispensible  to  his 
demolition.  As  the  Pope's  favour  became  a  grand 
object  of  strife,  it  was  of  course  disposed  of,  as  po- 
licy, avarice  or  ambition  dictated.  By  this  cunning, 
peace  and  war,  national  prosperity  and  adversity, 
equally  promoted  the  vigour  and  perpetuity  of  the 
mystical  Babylon. 

Nearly  at  the  same  period,  during  the  ninth  cen- 
tury, the  whole  ecclesiastical  system  in  Europe, 
was  changed ;  both  with  respect  to  its  interior  and 
external  administration.  Constantine  had  maintained 
his  uncontrouled  authority  in  the  principal  topics 
connected  with  the  order  of  the  church;  and  not- 
withstanding all  the  mutations  and  revolutions  of 
four  hundred  years,  including  the  irruptions  and  set- 
tlement of  the  Goths,  Huns  and  Vandals,  in  all  the 
countries  of  Europe  ;  Charlemange  claimed  and  ex- 
ercised supreme  jurisdiction  concerning  the  election 
of  a  Pope,  and  the  inferior  clerical  appointments; 
and  also  with  regard  to  t!ie  introduction  of  novelties 
into  the  ancient  system.  This  power,  however,  the 
European  kings  gradually  sacrificed,  until  the  Pope 
had  grasped  the  prerogative,  to  fill  every  official 
vacancy,  not  only  without  the  approbation,  but  in 
direct  contradiction  to  the  various  national  govern- 
ments. 


CENTURIES    VII— XVL  203 

Prior  to  this   era,    also,   the   Bishops   possessed 
considerable    influence   in    the   regulation    of"    the 
church,    and   their  sanction  had  been  pronounced 
necessary  to  authorize  the  adoption  of  a  novel  dog- 
ma, or  a   new  ceremonial;  but  this  privilege,  if  not 
entirely  abrogated,  Avas  so  enfeebled,  that  the  voice 
of  these  officers  has  subsequently  been  of  little  or  no 
importance.     In  addition  to  this  enlargement  of  the 
Papal  controul,  the  councils,  which  had  been  either 
statedly  or  occasionally  assembled  in  the  provinces 
or  nations,  were  disregarded,   and  the  respect  which 
had  been  offered  to  their  decisions,  declined ;   so 
that  the  only  efTectual  barrier  to  the  unrestrained 
exaltation  of  him  "  who  sitteth  in  the  Temple  of  God, 
as  God,"  was  complelely  extirpated.  By  these  conti- 
nual accessions  of  authority,  the  Popes  at  length, 
having  become  inflated    with  their  prosperity,  and 
arrogant  beyond  all  measure,  enjoined  upon  all  the 
devoted  agents  of  the  apostate  Hierarchy,  to  pro- 
mulge  the  preposterous  dotcrine,  that  the  Bishop  of 
Rome,   was   constituted  by  Jesus  Christ,  Supreme 
Governor,  Legislator,  and  Judge  of  the    universal 
church  upon  earth.    To  these  usurpations,  however 
zealously  and  ardently  defended,  great  oppossition 
was  excited  by  various  learned  persons,  who  were 
acquainted  with  the  sacred  scriptures,  and  with  the 
primitive  history  of  the  church  :  notwithstanding,  all 
their  resistance  was  vain  ;  and  it  became  necessary 
to  invent  some  mode,  by  which  so  palpable  a  trans- 
formation of  the  ancient  regimen  might  be  defended. 
The  blindness  of  the  people  assisted  the  design,  and 
the  absolute  independence  of  the    Roman   Pontiff^ 
was  the  unavoidable  consequence.     A  large  number 
of  the   most   ingenious   and   corrupt    partizans    of 
the  papacy,  were  employed  to  forge  public  conven- 
tions, acts  of  councils,  and  decretal  epistles,  with 
similar  records  ;  from  which  it  might  be  infallibly  de- 
monstrated, that  in  the  Apostolic  age,  and  from  that 
period  to  the  ninth  century,  without  interruption,  the 
Popes  had  alwavs  been  clothed  with  the  same  sut- 


204  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XI. 

pretne  spiritual  majosty,  as  that  in  ^^llich  they  were 
then  decorated.  ^^  ith  the  most  osleiitatious  triumph 
these  fictitious  vvritiii<i,s  were  adduced  ;  awd  tended 
in  a  high  degree,  esp^'cially  the  fabricated  proceed- 
ings and  decisions  of  a  suppositious  council,  alleged 
to  have  been  held  during  the  fourth  century,  to 
enrich  and  aggrandize  the  pnpal  Hierarchy. 

But  whenever  it  appeared  advisable  to  restore  any 
ancient  observance,  whirh  was  adapted  to  sanctily 
the  pretended  rights  of  the  Roman  church,  or  to 
augment  the  dominion  of  its  Fontifif,  no  scruple  was 
admitted  respecting  its  l(>gality.  Hence,  those  ec- 
clesiastical Councils  which  had  in  a  great  measure 
vanished  from  the  other  nations,  were  sometimes 
held  at  Rome,  because  there  they  could  be  trans- 
formed into  a  body,  whose  acts  would  ordy  subserve 
the  pontifical  usurpations.  By  the  operation  of  this 
sanction,  all  the  spurious  decretals,  with  every 
other  fictitious  monument  and  record  necessary  to 
consummate  the  design,  were  uicorporated  among 
the  eccle-iiastical  laws.  "  The  history  of  the  folioAv- 
ing  ages  verifies,  in  a  multitude  of  deplorable  ex- 
amples, the  disorders  and  calamities  which  sprung 
from  the  ambition  of  the  aspiring  FontifTs ;  by  their 
impious  frauds  they  overturned  the  ancient  govern- 
ment of  the  cl\urch.  undermined  the  episcopal  au- 
thority, engrossed  the  revenues  ;  and  by  aiming- 
perfidious  blows  at  the  thrones  of  princes,  endea- 
voured to  lesson  their  power,  and  to  circumscribe 
their  dominion  :  until  in  the  tv/elfth  century,  not  on- 
ly the  claim  of  sovereign  terrestrial  power  was  ad- 
vanced, iMit  also  assumed  and  exercised,  by  Pope 
Alexander  III.  who  (M-ected  Portugal,  then  a  pror 
vince,  into  a  separate  kingdom,  and  invested  Alphon- 
so  with  all  the  dignity  and  external  pomp  of  regal 
authority. 

II.   Terror. 

The  increasing  gloom  which  the  papal  system 
diflused  through  every  district  and  department  of  the 
'lomir.al  church,  sanctioned  the  introduction  of  every 


CENTURIES    VII. XYI.  205 

absurdity,  which  could  degrade  or  stultify  the  intel- 
lectual faculties.  Among  the  Celtic  nations,  the 
Druids,  i.heir  idolatrous  Priests,  had  been  excessively 
venerated,  especially  the  chief,  or  arch-druid.  The 
reverence  whicli  those  barbarians  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  iieel  for  their  Pagan  spiritual  director,  was 
easily  transferred  to  the  Roman  pontiff,  whom  they 
regarded  as  his  successor  under  the  Gospel  dis- 
pensation ;  and  the  Beast  perceiving  the  advantages 
which  would  result  from  the  possession  of  the  august 
prerogatives  that  his  Heathen  predecessor  had 
enjoyed,  produced  a  mass  of  ancient  history,  and  a 
multitude  of  overwhelming  arguments  from  the  feign- 
ed religious  authors,  which  secured  his  title  to  these 
extraordinary  acquisitions. 

That  stupendous  and  horrible  dogma,  which  filled 
all  Europe,  with  war^  rebellion  and  massacre,  from 
age  to  age,  originated  in  this  druidical  superstition. 
It  was  contended,  notwithstanding  all  its  shocking  and 
pernicious  tendencies,  that  all  persons  who  were  ex- 
cluded fromtheRomishcommunion,eitherby  thePon- 
tifforanyof  the  inferior  Bishops,  thereby  forfeited,  not 
only  their  civil  rights  and  immunities  as  citizens,  but 
also  all  title  to  the  common  claims  of  humanity.  Seve- 
ral of  the  Emperors  and  Kings,  were  thus  anathema- 
tized, which  tilled  Europe  with  war  and  desolation. 

From  the  period  when  Constantine  ruled,  excom- 
munication from  the  church  had  been  accompanied 
with  many  distressing  results  ;  and  particularly  among^ 
the  Barbirians.  who  had  confided  in  the  old  Druids, 
its  effects  were  extremely  appaling.  The  true  origin 
of  the  extensive  and  horrid  influence  of  the  European 
and  Papal  excommunication,  and  the  unnatural  pow- 
er associated  with  it,  must  be  imputed  to  this  corrupt 
transfer  from  Paganism  to  Christianity.  "  Upon  the 
pretended  conversion  of  the  uncultivated  nations  to 
the  Gospel,  these  new  and  ignorant  proselytes,  con- 
founded the  excommunication  in  use  among  chris- 
tians, with  their  own  practice,  which  had  been  adop- 
ted by  the  Priests  of  their  imaginary  Gods,  and  be- 


2<0G  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XI. 

lieved  them  to  be  similar  in  nature  and  effect.  The 
Roman  Pontiffs  were  too  artful  not  to  encourage  and 
Countenance  this  error;  and  therefore  employed  eve- 
ry mean  to  gain  credit  to  an  opinion  so  well  calculated 
to  gratify  their  ambition,  and  to  aggrandize  the  epis^ 
copal  order.  Excommunicated  persons  indeed,  nad 
been  considered  in  all  places,  objects  of  aversion  to 
God  and  men ;  but  they  were  not  divested  of  their 
ciivic  rights,  or  of  the  common  privileges  of  human  na- 
ture ;  much  less  were  the  kings  or  princes,  on  account 
of  exclusion  from  the  church,  supposed  to  forfeit,  on 
that  account,  their  official  stations  and  territories. 
But  from  the  eighth  century,  in  Europe,  excommuni- 
cation acquired  that  infernal  pre-eminence  which  dis- 
solved all  connections;  so  that  those  who  were  ex- 
cluded from  the  communion  of  the  church  were  de- 
graded to  a  level  with  the  beasts.  Under  this  horrif- 
ic sentence,  the  king,  the  ruler,  the  husband,  the  fa- 
ther, even  the  man,  lost  all  their  privileges,  the  affec- 
tions of  society,  and  the  claims  of  nature."  What  could 
resist  a  sentence  thus  consecrated,  and  supported  by 
all  the  numbers,  energies  and  arms  of  the  national  pow- 
er and  general  combination  } 

It  was  not  the  actual  horrors  which  visibly  suc- 
ceeded the  sentence  of  excommunication  alone,  that 
debased  the  mental  and  corporeal  capacities  of  the 
people,  but  also  the  phantoms  promulged  respecting 
the  fire  of  purgatory :  these  chained  the  terrified  vic- 
tims of  the  Antichristian  Despot  in  inextricable  vas- 
salage. The  apprehensions  of  eternal  torment,  of 
that  worm  which  never  dieth,  were  trifling  and  evan- 
escent, contrasted  with  the  momentous  and  perennial 
dread  of  that  region  of  fire  which  was  ever  present 
to  their  sensibilities  and  imaginations.  The  besotted 
crowds  were  instructed  to  believe,  that  from  hell, 
deliverance  at  death  would  assuredly  follow, provided 
they  had  purchased  a  sufficiency  of  prayers  from  the 
Priests,  and  had  paid  the  desired  commutation  for 
the  supererogatory  works  and  intercession  of  the 
saintly  patrons  :  but  from  the  tortures  of  purgatory 


CENTURIES   VII. — XVI.  207 

it  was  impossible,  under  any  pretext,  to  realize  any 
exemption.  The  artifices  which  were  displayed  to 
enliven  the  acuteness  of  the  public  perception  on 
this  topic,  almost  defy  credibility.  AH  the  public 
harangues  were  little  more  than  delineations  of  this 
invisible  country  ;  interspersed  with  the  most  ridicu- 
lous narratives,  and  with  the  most  stupid  pretended 
miracles,  wrought,  as  they  affirmed,  by  the  Priests,  to 
release  the  sufferers  from  their  misery ;  thus  evincing 
the  reality  of  that  region,  and  developing  their  mys- 
terious influence  and  connection  with  that  tremen- 
dous state  of  wo. 

///.  Enthusiasm. 
The  aberrations  of  the  human  mind  from  the  evan- 
gelical standard,  in  consequence  of  the  general  des- 
titution of  the  scriptures,  displayed  themselves  in  a 
vast  variety  of  absurdities  and  profligacy.  Two  spe- 
cies of  infatuated  mania  were  seized  by  the  Hierarchs 
as  capable  of  being  advantageously  employed  by 
them  to  sustain  their  Babylonish  superstructure. — 
One  of  them  was  early  pressed  into  the  service — the 
Monkish  system.  When  this  practice  commenced,  it 
was  merely  a  flight  into  the  desert,  and  a  temporary 
abode  in  solitude,  that  the  storms  of  malignant  and 
insatiable  persecution  might  be  evaded,  until  they 
had  dissipated  their  fury.  But  the  cunning  of  the 
Pontiffs  speedily  perceived,  that  the  monastic  life  and 
vows  might  with  great  facility  become  an  irresistible 
engine  to  maintain  their  assumed  supremacy.  Erro- 
neous opinions  respecting  the  superior  sanctity  of  a 
life  in  cehbacy,  originally  added  to  the  recluses  ; 
philosophi<:al  whimsies  concerning  the  purer  and 
more  elevated  spirituality  of  a  life  of  retirement  and 
contemplation,  enlarged  their  numbers  ;  while  the 
independence  of  the  various  classes  of  Monks,  the 
jurisdiction  over  whom  in  their  several  dioceses,  had 
been  taken  from  the  respective  Bishops  by  the  Popes, 
rendered  their  lives  one  continued  scene  of  sensual 
indulgence.  To  these  may  be  added,  the  universal 
belief  which  prevailed,  that  the  monastic  order  in- 


208  ECCLEalASTICAL    HISTORY.  LLCfUKE  XI. 

volvcd  a  peculiar  and  very  high  degree  of  sanctifi- 
cation. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  corruption  which  charac- 
terized the  Convents  and  the  Nunneries,  lliey  main- 
tained their  ascendancy  over  the  benighted  multi- 
tudes ;  and  when  we  remember  the  ignorance  even 
of  all  the  adherents  of  the  Monkish  institutions,  ex- 
cept the  few  chiefs  of  the  Orders,  and  the  compara- 
tively small  number  of  the  initiated  Agents,  who 
secretly  propelled  the  main  spring  of  the  machinery, 
we  cannot  be  surprized,  that  those  who  were  induced 
to  commingle  all  that  was  dignified  and  delightiul  in 
this  world,  with  the  Pope's  passport  to  Heaven,  as 
the  only  guarantee  of  joy  in  the  world  to  come, 
should  have  enthusiastically  yielded  themselves  to 
the  support  of  a  religion  so  highly  esteemed,  so  ea- 
sily fulfilled,  that  admitted  every  vicious  indulgence 
for  money,  and  which  insured  an  entrance  into  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  to  all  who  could  purchase  the 
prehminary  papal  absolution. 

But  one  of  the  most  astonishing  proofs  of  the  lia^ 
bility  of  the  human  mind  to  be  led  astray  by  a  sudden 
fantastic  excitement,  is  discoverable  in  the  history 
of  the  croisades,  which  most  powerfully  assisted  the 
Papal  supremacy.  After  the  Mohammedans,  dur- 
ing a  long  period,  had  retained  pacific  possession  of 
the  Eastern  part  of  the  Roman  empire  ;  about  the  year 
1000  of  the  christian  era,  apian  was  formed  to  reco- 
ver the  ancient  land  of  Judea,  from  the  Mussulmen. 
It  was  declared  reproachful  to  the  christian  nations, 
that  the  enemies  of  the  cross  should  rule  over  the 
country  hallowed  by  the  birth,  ministry,  passion,  and 
triumph  of  Immanuel :  audit  was  pronounced  just  and 
necessary  in  the  professors  of  Christianity,  to  retort 
upon  the  Arabian  scorpion  locusts,  the  reproach,  in- 
juries, persecution,  and  calamities  with  which  the 
professed  believers  in  Jesus  had  been  tortured  by 
their  Apostate  conquerors.  Accordingly,  an  attempt 
was  made  by  Sylvester  Pope,  at  the  close  of  the  tenth 
*?entury,  to  inflame  the  European  nations  against  the 


CENTURir^S    VIL XVI.  209 

Mohammedans  ;  but  at  that  period,  the  effort  was  nu- 
gatory. Afterwards,  Gregory,  probably  the  most 
audacious  tyrant  who  ever  ruled  either  in  church  or 
state,  resolved  iii  person  to  conduct  a  war  for  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Roman  church  in  Asia.  Political  oc- 
currences having  forced  him  to  postpone  the  execu- 
tion of  his  design,  it  remained  dormant  until  the  year 
1093,  when  ail  Europe  was  ahnost  instantaneously  e- 
l€ctrifiedto  the  utmost  elevation  of  enthusiastic  rage, 
by  the  preaching  and  exertions  of  Peter  the  Hermit. 
He  had  witnessed  with  anguish  unutterable,  the  a- 
gonies  and  indignities  to  which  the  pilgrims  who  visit- 
ed Jerusalem  were  continually  subject.  On  his  re- 
turn to  Constantinople,  he  had  invoked,  ineffectually 
the  interference  of  the  Patriarch  there,  and  at  Rome 
of  Urban  then  Pope.  Instead  of  feeling  any  discour- 
agement at  their  repulses,  he  began  to  peregrinate 
ail  the  countries  of  Europe,  inciting  a  holy  war 
against  the  infidels  ;  and  pretending  to  exhibit  a 
letter  from  heaven,  addressed  to  all  true  Christians, 
to  deliver  their  brethren,  galled  by  Mohammedan 
oppressions.  Thus  was  formed  and  prepared,  the 
bold  and  apparently  impracticable  design,  to  con- 
duct into  Asia,  from  the  utmost  western  extremities, 
a  force  suihcient  to  extirpate  and  for  ever  exclude 
the  devotees  of  the  Impostor  of  Mecca  from  the 
Holy  Land. 

When  the  epidemic  madness  thus  excited,  had 
raged  during  a  short  season,  and  a  universal,  simul- 
taneous and  most  vehement  desire  was  exhibited  for 
the  conquest  of  Palestine,  and  the  carnage  of  it«  Infi- 
del inhabitants.  Urban  the  Pope,  discovering  that 
all  the  materials  were  ready  prepared  for  the  long 
meditated  expedition,  assembled  at  Placentia,  in 
109.5,  a  council  consisting  of  more  than  three  hundred 
thousand  persons  ;  on  which  occasion.  Urban  and 
Peter-  endeavoured  with  all  their  zeal  and  ingenuity 
to  excite  the  multitudes  to  the  conflict.  After  a 
r-hort  interval,  a  second  and  more  numerous  assem- 
bly was  held  at  Clermont,  which  included  a  large 
C2 


210  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORy.  LECTURE    \L 

proportion  of  the  princes,  prelates  and  nobles,  resi- 
dent within  the  ten  horns  oi"  the  Beast.  Urban  and 
the  Hermit  here  renewed  their  inflammatory  appeals 
to  the  ini'uriated  passions  oi"  the  people,  until  at 
length  the  whole  assembly,  as  if  impelled  by  an  irre- 
sistible superintendence,  exclaimed,  "  It  is  the  will 
of  God!"  These  words  became  afterwards  the  signal 
of  battle,  while  tlie  cross  was  the  distinctive  badge^ 
which  every  volunteer  in  the  cause  wore,  both  for 
his  ornament  and  protection. 

Ignorance  and  superstition  at  this  period,  were  so 
profound,  tliat  aided   by  the  private  military  spirit 
which  was   universally  extended,  "all  Europe  was 
torn  from  its  foundation,  and  seemed  ready  to  preci- 
pitate itself  in  one  united  body  upon  Asia."    The  dis- 
contented nobles,  the  oppressed  artizans,  the  impov- 
erished peasants,  and  the  restless  monks,  all  enrolled 
themselves  tor  this  service;  to  decline  which  was  infa- 
my, being  branded  as  cowardly  and  impious.    A  con- 
siderable proportion  of  the  most  valuable   European 
possessions,  lands^,  houses,  gold  and  silver,  was  trans- 
f  ;rred  to  the  church,   either  as  bequests  in  case  of 
death,  or  as  a  conmmtatation  for  the  pardon  and  gua- 
rantee   of  heaven,    which  the  Pope  and  his  agents 
assured  to  all  who  died  during  the  croisade.     "•'  Old 
and  young,  men   and   women,  priests  and  soldiers, 
monks  and  merchants,  peasants  and  mechanics,  all 
eagerly  assume  the  cross,  as  an    expiation  for  all 
crimes."    Finally,  all  t!ie  preparatory  arrangements 
having  been  completed,  a  motley  hnlf  crazy  multitude 
of  enthusiastic  bigols,  calculated  to  number   300,000 
men,  commenced  their  desolating  pilgrimage,  "dur- 
ing the  course  of  which  the  most  enormous  disorders- 
were  committed  by  men  inured  to  wickedness,  en- 
couraged by  example  and  impelled  by  necessity." — 
These  commanded  by  Peter  the  Hermit,  proceeded 
towards  Constantinople  ;    and  trusting  to  Heaven  for 
supernatural  supplies,  as  they  had  made  no  provision 
for  their  subsistence   on  their  route,  "  were   finally 
obliged  to  obtain  by  plunder,  that  which  they  vainly 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  211 

expected  from  a  ceaseless  miracle  ;"  this  conduct 
enraged  the  inhabitants  of  the  different  countries 
through  which  they  travelled,  until  they  eventually 
assailed  the  xlisorderly  licentious  multitude,  and 
slaughtered  them  almost  without  resistance.  The 
more  disciplined  forces  followed  :  and  having  passed 
the  straits  of  Constantinople,  united  with  the  others, 
and  encamped  on  the  plains  of  Asia,  an  army  of 
700,000  croisading  warriors. 

The  rage  for  the  conquest  of  the  Holy  Land  did 
not  cease  with  this  expedition  :  it  continued  during 
nearly  two  centuries,  and  involved  eight  successive 
croisades.  Not  less  than  two  millions  of  people  are 
calculated  to  have  perished  in  these  various  attempts 
to  overthrow  the  Mohammedans  in  JuJea. 

The  conduct  which  these  Croisaders  exhibited, 
must  unavoidably  have  ruined  even  the  best  cause. 
They  were  in  one  ceaseles  internal  feud  and 
dissension ;  and  "  the  horrid  cruelties  which  they 
committed  must  have  inspired  the  Turks  with  the 
most  invincible  hatred,"  and  rendered  their  resist- 
ance most  furiously  obstinate.  When  Jerusalem 
was  captured,  all  the  inhabitants  of  both  sexes  and 
every  age,  Avere  massacred  without  ifcercy  and 
without  distinction.  Barbarians  inflamed  with  reli- 
gious enthusiasm  alone,  could  have  acted  like  them. 
After  this  terrible  slaughter,  "  they  marched  over 
heaps  of  dead  bodies  towards  the  holy  sepulchre, 
and  while  their  hands  were  polluted  with  innocent 
blood,  sung  Anthems  to  the  Prince  of  Peace ;  and 
their  infatuation  overcame  their  fury,  for  these  fero- 
cious victors  wept  aloud  before  the  suppositious  tomb 
of  the  Redeemer  of  Mankind.  But  in  1204,  still 
greater  absurdity  and  wickedness  were  displayed. 
The  croisading  frenzy  infected  the  children,  thou- 
sands of  whom  were  conducted  from  the  houses  of 
the  parents,  of  whom  a  part  perished  in  the  utmost 
misery,  and  the  rest  were  sold  by  their  pretended 
guardians  as  slaves  to  the  Mohammedans. 

Notwithstanding  all  the  aggrandisement  which  the 


212  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    Si 

Hierarchy  received  from  the  transfer  of  their  wealth, 
which  the  deluded  Hosts  confided  either  to  the  pro- 
tection or  the  support  of  their  (spiritual  Despots; 
and  altlioui^h  in  the  plenitude  of  its  dominion,  nothing 
appeared  capable  of  diminishing;  its  boundless  sway, 
vet  the  result  of  the  croisades  after  the  final  expul- 
sion of  the  Europeans  and  their  descendants  from 
Syria,  by  the  capture  of  Acre,  was  in  many  respects 
favourable  to  the  western  nations.  The  Arabians  of 
that  period,  were  much  more  refined  and  polished  in 
their  manners,  and  were  surrounded  with  a  high  de- 
gree of  magnificence  in  their  style  of  living,  when  con- 
trasted with  the  degraded  and  impoverished  mode 
of  existence,  at  that  period,  general  throughout 
Europe  ;  and  from  this  era,  may  be  dated  a  consi- 
derable improvement  in  the  character  and  condition 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Imperial  ten  horns;  as  those 
who  fled  back  to  their  original  residences  had  im- 
bibed a  taste  which  emulated  the  splendour  of  the 
Easterns,  by  whom  their  temporary  predominance 
in  Palestine  was  finally  extirpated. 
IV.  Persecution. 
An  enlf^rged  detail  of  the  various  cruelties  perpe- 
trated tFirough  the  instrumentality  of  this  Papal  de- 
termination to  possess  Supreme  terrestrial  jurisdic- 
tion would  combine  a  considerable  proportion  of  the 
European  history  during  tliree  centuries.  Although 
from  the  establishment  of  the '^  Man  of  Sin,"  the  wit- 
ness'S  commenced  and  prolonged  their  prophesyingin 
sackcloth,  yet  the  doctrine  had  not  been  widely  pro- 
inulged  or  generally  practiced,  that  it  was  lawful  or 
evangelical,  to  destroy  human  life  lor  a  rejection  of 
the  Romisii  traditions.  "  Persecution  is  the  spirit  of 
Popery;"  but  at  that  period  it  had  been  encompassed 
by  restraints,  of  which  even  nil  the  domineering  prin- 
ciples of  the  haughty  PontiflTs  did  not  venture  to  at- 
tempt the  demolition.  But  from  about  the  year  1200, 
wiien  Gregory  had  centered  in  the  Pope  an  unliuiited 
and  olmost  undisputed  prerogative  to  dethrone  Em- 
perors, dispossess  Kings,  banish  Princes,  and  degrade 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  213 

Prelates;  when  the  hardships  of  the  papal  usurpations 
were  more  acutely  realized,  and  the  odious  charac 
teristics  of  the  Roman  Beast  were  developed  in  all 
their  debasing,  vindictive,  and  appalling  qualities; 
a  large  and  extensively  dijETiised  augmentation  to  the 
numbers,  piety  and  learning  of  the  opponents  of  the 
Romish  apostacy  almost  simultaneously  was  mani- 
fested. It  was  determined  therefore  if  possible,  to 
crush  the  impending  audacity,  which  would  dare  to 
tramji!e  upon  the  Beast's  authority. 

Two  measures  were  eventually  adopted,  to  silence 
all  present  murmurers,  and    to  terrify  others  from 
all  future  commotion.      "  Christians  did  not  always 
assume  the  badge  of  the  cross  to  annihilate  infidels: 
the  madness  of  Bigotry,  and  the  spirit  of  persecu- 
tion" produced   a  croisade  for  the  destruction  of  the 
servants  of  Jesus.      In  the    southern  provinces  of 
France,   particularly,    resided    considerable   multi- 
tudes of  persons  who  had  become  very  obnoxious  to 
the  Popish  church  and  clergy,  on  account  of  their 
aversion  from  the  prevalent  doctrinal  errors,  and  the 
universal  ambition  of  those  who  filled  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal O'ders;  and  atlength,  they  refused  toacknoAvledge 
as  ministers  of  the  holy  religioi?  of  Immanuel,  men 
totally  destitute  of  huaiility.  meekness,   self-denial 
and  philanthrophy.  Innocent  III.   Pope  in  the  earlier 
part  of  the  thirteenth  century,  alarmed  at  their  prin- 
ciples mid  opposition  to  his  claims,  with  that  of  the 
subordinate  pr)pal  adherents,  resolved  to  extirpate 
them  by  force,  or  convert  them  by  intimidation.     A 
croisade  was  proclaimed,  indulgences  granted,  par- 
<don8  issued,  absolutio'^  distributed  and  Heaven  pro- 
mised to  all  who  vvoi  Id  engage  in  the  execrable  de- 
sign; by  these  meafis  i  very  formidable  army  wasmar- 
shall'^d.    The  in?  orent  Albigenses,  Waldenses,  and 
their   Associates,  by  whatever   denomination   they 
were  known,  were  pursued   by  their  insatiably  cruel 
persecutors,  and  myriads  expired  by  the  swords  of 
these  blood  hounds.    Their  cities  were  pillaged  and 
razed,  their  inhabitants  were  butchered  with  all  the 


214  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XI. 

insensibility  of  those  who  were  so  benighted  as  to  be- 
lieve, that  in  martyring  those  "of  whom  the  world  was 
not  worthy,"  they  were  really  doing  God  service  ;  for 
the  besotted  Priests  like  incendiaries,  generally  com- 
menced the  work  of  devastation  by  enkindling  the 
conflagration  in  which  the  towns  and  villages  were 
consumed.  The  infernal  fury  that  prevailed  on  those 
occasions,  may  easily  be  estimated,  from  one  instance 
which  occurred  during  this  holy  war.  When  the 
city  of  Beziers  was  taken,  among  the  Waldenses 
was  a  number  of  persons,  most  devoutly  and  ina- 
lienably united  to  the  papacy.  At  that  capture, 
sixty  thousand  inhabitants  were  upon  one  occasion 
put  to  the  sword ;  some  who  commanded  v»'ere  desi- 
rous to  spare  the  true  Sons  of  the  Church  who  had 
resided  among  the  enemies  of "  the  Man  of  Sin;" 
but  his  holiness'  Legate  fired  with  zeal  for  the 
mother  church,  cried  out,  "  kill  them  all !  for  the 
Lord  knoiveth  them  who  are  his.'''' 

During  these  "great  tribulations,"  it  is  suppos- 
ed that  at  least  one  million  of  Waldenses  were 
slaughtered  in  France  alone  :  "  when  exquisite 
punishments  availed  little,  and  the  evil  was  exaspe- 
rated by  the  remedy  which  had  been  unseasonably 
applied,  and  their  number  increased  daily,  at  length 
complete  armies  were  raised  against  them  ;  the 
event  of  which  was,  they  were  slain,  put  to  flight, 
despoiled  of  their  goods  and  dignities,  and  dispersed 
into  all  countries,  but  not  convinced.  The  scatter- 
ing of  these  people  oidy  diffused  their  faith ;  which 
afterwards  appeared  in  Switzerland,  Bohemia  and 
Britain. 

But  it  was  speedily  discovered,  that  the  power  of 
an  armed  force,  embodied  in  military  array,  was  to- 
tally insufficient  to  exterminate  the  light  which  was 
go  rapidly  and  secretly  diffusing  on  the  subject  of  the 
Pope's  genuine  claim  to  the  character  of  Antichrist. 
Armies  could  depopulate  towns  and  villages,  but 
could  not  easily  enter  into  that  minuteness  of  scruti- 
ny, which  investigated  every  householder's  library 


CEiMtJRlES    VII. XV r.  216 

r^nd  heart.  A  new  machine  was  therefore  invented, 
which  should  not  only  coerce  the  bodies,  but  also 
enslave  the  souls  of  men.  The  persons  who  began 
to  dissent  from  the  Romish  superstitions  were  dis- 
persed in  several  parts  of  Europe,  and  much  as  they 
differed  from  each  other  on  many  other  points  of  the- 
ology, yet  on  one  topic  they  were  altogether  unani- 
mous, and  similarly  defended  their  system  by  argu- 
ments deduced  from  the  sacred  scriptures.  They  all 
promulged  "  that  the  public  and  established  religion 
was  a  motley  system  of  errors  and  superstition  ;  and 
that  the  dominion  which  the  Popes  had  usurped  over 
christians,  as  also  the  authority  which  they  exercised 
in  religious  matters,  were  unlawful  and  tyrannical." 
Raymond,  of  Thoulouse,  and  other  independent  no- 
bles, encouraged  these  dissenters  from  the  church 
of  Rome  ;  until  Innocent  authorised  some  of  the 
Monkish  rabble,  among  whom  was  the  famous  Dom- 
inic, "  to  extirpate  heresy,  in  all  its  various  forms 
and  modifications,  without  being  at  all  scrupulous  in 
the  use  of  any  methods  which  might  be  necesary  to 
effect  this  salutary  purpose.  These  persons  were  as- 
sisted by  that  inimmerable  swarm  of  vermin,  the  men- 
dicant Friars,  who,  like  the  Egyptian  frogs,  "came  into 
the  houses,  and  bedchambers,  and  ovens,  and  knead- 
ing troughs"  of  all  the  people.  To  these  Monks  were 
allowed  every  possible  privilege,  to  travel  according 
to  inchnation,  to  converse  with  all  persons,  to  instruct 
in  every  place,  and  in  fine,  by  their  sanctimonious 
exterior,  they  so  imposed  upon  all  orders  of  men,  and 
so  highly  were  they  venerated,  that  to  wear  a  part 
of  a  Friar's  rejected  wardrobe,  or  to  be  interred  in 
a  Mendicant's  cemetery,  was  the  highest  object  of 
universal  solicitude  ;  until  their  influence  became  so 
irresistible,  that  scarcely  a  transaction,  from  the 
Prince's  council  on  national  aflfairs,  through  every 
ramification  of  society,  even  to  a  beggar's  extreme 
unction,  escaped  their  personal  notice  and  particular 
interference.  Of  these  every-where  present  support- 
ers of  the  Roman  Pontiff''s  authority,  which  they  de^ 


216  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIlSTORy.  lECTLRE  Xl. 

monstrated  against  all  civil  potentates,  and  against 
all  the  inferior  orders  of  the  Hierarchy,  with  incredi- 
l)le  ardour  and  obstinacy,  and  astonishing  success, 
four  tribes  existed  ;  the  Dominicans,  thus  denominat- 
ed from  Dominic  ;  the  Franciscans,  from  Francis;  the 
Carmelites,  who  pretended  to  be  successors  of  Elijah, 
who  prophesied  on  Mount  Carmel ;  and  the  Augustin- 
ians,  who  were  nominal  adherents  of  Augustine.  A- 
gainst  these  Mendicants,  many  persons  offered  their 
arguments  and  their  expositions  of  scripture,  but  in 
vain;  the  Pontifical  supremacy  defied  all  opposition, 
and  until  the  Reformation  by  Luther,  they  remaiiied 
uncontested  Masters  of  all  Europe  ;  desolating  this 
world  by  their  intrigues  and  ambition,  and  depopulat- 
ing heaven  by  their  errors  and  abominations. 

After  Dominic  had  commenced  his  exterminating 
system,  it  was  ascertained  to  be  so  profitable ;  that  a 
general  system  of  religious  espionage,  the  inquisition, 
became  the  object  of  fond  attachment.  But  from  the 
earliest  period,  the  people  displayed  a  formidable 
opposition  to  a  contrivance  which  committed  the  re- 
putation, property,  liberty,  and  life,  not  only  of  the 
father  and  husband,  but  also  of  the  mother  and  wife 
and  children,  to  the  third  and  fourth  generation,  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  a  tribunal,  always  secret,  invariably 
unjust,  and  ever  murderous.  The  Pontifical  supre- 
cy  was,  notwithstanding  so  vast,  that  it  was  finally  de- 
termined, "  a  council  of  inquisitors,  consisting  of  one 
Priest,  and  three  laymen,"  shall  be  erected  in  every  ci' 
ty.  These  "  heresy-hunters'''  were  bound  by  oath^  "  not 
only  to  seek  for  heretics  in  towns,  houses,  cellars,  and 
other  secret  places,  but  also  in  fields,  woods,  caves, 
&c.  Thus  commenced  the  zV/famous  Inquisition,  which 
was  instrumental  in  destroying  such  myriads  of  Here- 
tics, some  by  terror,  lor  grace  divine  alone  could 
withstand  the  diabolical  ingeimity  of  their  torments  ; 
and  the  majority  by  fire,  being  transported,  it  may  be 
evangelically  hoped,  to  that  world  of  joy,  of  which 
the  Lord  of  life  and  glory  had  said  *'  where  I  am,  there 
shall  my  servant  be," 


The  Inquisition,  thus  sanctioned  by  aH  the  spiritual 
terrors  oi  the  Papacy,  and  by  all  the  arms  of  the 
national  Governors,  was  eventually  established  as 
an  intallible  Judicatory;  of  course,  its  power  was 
resistless,  and  its  cruelties,  for  it  manufactured  every 
possible  instrument  to  torture,  most  horrific.  These 
courts  ordinarily  comprized  three  Inquisitors:  query, 
as  the  quorum  of  many  ecclesiastical  Protestant  tri- 
bunals consists  of  "three  Lords  of  the  Inquisition  ;" 
Were  their  number  and  their  practice  derived  from 
the  same  source  and  bull? — the  Inquisitors  were 
absolute  judges,  from  whose  decision,  no  appeal 
on  earth  existed  ;  but  this,  as  it  precluded  all 
hope,  did  not  torment  the  falsely  accused  delinquents 
with  expectation  of  subsequent  deliverance.  That 
we  may  in  some  measure  comprehend  the  odious 
nature  of  this  infernal  invention,  listen  to  a  summary 
of  its  proceedings.  The  Lords  of  the  Inquisition 
directed  a  class  of  persons  called  Qualificators,  who 
by  order  of  their  masters,  examined  the  crimes  of  their 
prisoners ;  with  them  were  united  Familiars^  who 
were  solely  occupied  in  searching  for  culprits.  All 
complaints  were  secret,  and  condemnation  almost 
uniformly  succeeded  tlie  accusation.  The  supposed 
oilender  was  generally  seized  at  midnight;  and 
all  the  bonds  of  relationship,  all  the  claims  of  huma- 
nity expired,  when  they  became  the  subjects  of  that 
inluriated  bigotry  which  swayed  this  tremendous 
tribunal.  No  intimation  wrss  ever  given  of  the  party 
who  adduced  the  charge  ;  and  a  denial  insured, 
either  the  highest  degree  ot  intimidation  by  the  exhi- 
bitions of  the  tortuie,  or  the  most  exquisite  lacera- 
tion aiid  torment  actually  intlicted  ;  all  intended  to 
coerce  the  individual  to  acknowledge  that  guilt, 
which  would  then  apparently  justify  the  barbarity  of 
those  punishments,  that  followed  the  definitive  judg- 
ment to  the  fire,  which  theL:8  human  Monsters  pro- 
iioiHiced. 

Wealth,  '^  booty  and  beauty"  constituted  the  grand 
recoiiimeiidations  to  inquisitorial  iiispectioo.     Poiv 
2  D 


218  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XL 

erty  and  ugliness  had  no  charms  for  tliose  voluptu- 
aries ;  and  if  ever  they  formed  a  part  of  an  Auto 
da  Fc,  an  act  of  Faith,  the  title  desecrated  by  their 
merciless  conflagrations  and  ignominious  displays, 
it  was  merely  a  hypocritical  mask,  to  conceal  their 
vast  confiscations  ;  and  their  galaxy  of  confined  fe- 
male youth,  first  by  fright,  induced  to  submit  to  the 
Inquisitors'  caresses,  and  then  murdered  after  con- 
cupi'jcence  was  satiated.  If  terror,  or  pain,  or  men- 
tal debility,  arising  from  the  agonies  which  the 
wretched  prisoners  had  experienced,  or  promises 
of  deliverance  and  life  had  seduced  the  miserable 
creatures  into  a  confession  of  the  criminalities  al- 
leged against  them  ;  immediately,  the  suppositious 
culprits  were  adjudged,  with  great  ceremony,  to  be 
delivered  over  to  Satan,  through  the  medium  of  pre- 
vious racking,  and  subsequent  exterior  odious  dis- 
guise, decapitation  and  fire.  In  short,  no  tongue 
can  detail,  no  mind  imagine,  and  no  heart  even  i'eel, 
the  tremendous  horrors  which  dwelt  within  the  walls 
of  Dominic. 

This  despotic  and  sanguinary  tribunal,  however, 
excited  the  revengeful  tempers  of  many  persons,  and 
in  some  parts  of  the  Beast's  dominions  it  was  found 
impracticable  to  introduce  its  abominations.  "  Con- 
rad, the  first  German  Inquisitor,  was  a  victim  of 
that  wrath,  which  his  merciless  measures"  had  rous- 
ed ;  and  the  "  Lords  of  the  holy  Inquisition"  often 
experienced  exact  retaliation  from  the  resentment 
of  the  oppressed  multitudes.  "But  so  resolutely 
determined  was  the  Popedom  upon  universal  domi- 
nation, and  so  exasperated  at  the  smallest  exhibition 
of  resistance  to  its  usurped  authority,  that  no  mea- 
sure was  neglected  which  could  enforce  its  claims, 
and  sanctify  its  jurisdiction,  and  establish  its  power." 
The  Mendicant  Friars,  dispersed  in  every  city, 
town  and  hamlet,  were  continually  on  the  alert,  to 
discover  heretical  and  disaffected  persons  ;  and  as- 
similated to  their  master,  Satan,  they  assumed  eve- 
ry possible  shape  to  execute  their  abominable  em- 


CENTURIES    VII. XVI.  219 

plojment.  At  one  period,  they  were  like  ravening 
wolves,  prowling  into  every  house,  to  complete  the 
malignity  of  that  adversary,  Abaddon,  who  '•  as  a 
roaring  lion,  waiketh  about,  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour."  Anon,  they  were  transformed  into  Angels  of 
light,  seducing  where  they  could  not  terrify  ;  and  by 
every  artifice  endeavoring  to  persuade  persons  of 
their  own  discontent  with  the  Hierarchy,  that  they 
might  receive  some  acknowledgement  of  similarity  of 
feeling  and  opinion ;  on  which  to  transmit  an  accusa- 
tion to  the  Dominican  demons  incarnate,  who  con- 
trived the  compound  execrable  mysteries,  which  filled 
the  gloomy  vaults  of  the  Inquisition,  with  groans  and 
every  mortal  wo,  and  the  upper  rooms  with  agony  and 
pollution.  So  keen  were  their  perceptions,  that  net 
only  a  word,  which  dishonoured  the  Inquisitors  or  the 
system,  became  the  signal  of  proscription  ;  but  cer- 
tain appearances  ol  the  countenance  were  represent- 
ed as  infallible  indications  of  the  mind  and  heart; 
and  he  who  could  not  exult  in  the  murder  of  his  Fa- 
ther, or  Child,  or  Brother,  or  in  the  rape  of  his  Wife,  or 
Mother,  or  Sister,  was  suspected,  apprehended,  and 
if  not  himself  transferred  as  fuel  for  the  combustion, 
was  most  assuredly  and  irreparably  ruined,  especial- 
ly if  he  was  known  to  be  opulent.  But  it  is  still  more 
astonishing,  that  many  of  the  civil  Rulers  should,  in 
their  various  countries, have  permitted  the  Inquisition 
to  erect  a  tribunal,  and  to  prepare  instruments  of  tor- 
ture and  death,  not  only  independent  of  the  national 
jurisdiction,  but  paramount  to  all  law,  and  whose  in- 
conceivable barbarities,  the  Princes  ol  Europe,  when 
they  were  crowned,  solemnly  obliged  themselves  by 
oath  to  execute.  This  eventually  constituted  a  per- 
manent croisade;  so  that  from  the  commencement 
of  the  thirteenth  century,  until  "  the  ever-blessed 
Reformation,"  all  the  horrors  of  the  first  ages  were  re- 
newed,- and  the  wretched  Waldenses,  Albigenses, 
Leonists,  Lollards,  and  the  other  genuine  christians, 
by  whatever  epithet  distinguished,  realized  the  same 
fate,  from  "  the  Man  of  Sin,"  and  his  subordinate 


220  F.CCLESIASTI-CAL  HISTORS'.  LliCTURE    \X. 

agents,  ecclesiastical  coiincii^,  and  7?/?-'*IIoiy  Lord? 
oi  tiie  inquisition,"  whiclj  tlu^  primitive  Chriotians 
had  experienced  from  Nero,  Uomilian,  Trajan,  Ga- 
lerius,  Dioclesian,  and  tiie  other  imperial  Roman 
Barbarians  who  had  issued  their  various  edicts  to 
exterminate  the  terrestriai  kingdom  otour  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

We  have  thus  briefly  investigated  the  most  osten- 
sible causes,  which  combined  to  perpetuate  ihatstii^ 
pendous  despotism,  Popery.  In  the  history  of  our 
mundane  atfliirs,  who  can  avoid  feeling  rapture  in  the 
prophetical  contemplation,  that  the  period  is  rapidly 
approachi!!2;,  when  this  mountain  of  corruption  shall 
disappear  from  the  world;  who  ought  not  to  rejoice, 
thai  slie  M'ho  ''saith  in  her  heart,  I  sit  a  queen,  and 
am  no  widow,  and  shall  see  no  sorrow,"  sfiall  be  ut- 
(^erly  destroyed.  John  saw  (he  '•  mighty  angel  who 
»ook  up  a  stone  like  a  great  mill- stone,  and  cast  it  in-, 
to  the  sea,  saying;  Thus  with  violence  shall  thatgreat 
city,  Babylon  bo  thrown  down,  and  shall  be  found  no 
more  at  all ;  and  the  voice  of  harpers  ar,d  musicians, 
and  pipers,  and  trumpeters  shall  be  heard  no  more  at 
ail  in  thee;  and  no  craftsman  of  whatsoever  craft  he 
be,  shall  be  found  any  more  in  thee;  and  the  light  of 
a  candle  shall  shine  no  more  at  all  ifi  thee;  and  the 
voice  of  the  bridegroom  and  of  the  bride,  shall  be 
heard  no  more  at  all  in  thee ;  for  in  her  was  found  the 
blood  of  prophets,  and  of  saints,  and  of  all  that  were 
slain  upon  the  earth."  Let  us  not  by  fictitious  sensi-, 
l^ilities,  attempt  to  sympathize  with  a  system  ot  incur- 
able depravity  !  When  we  oppose  the  Romish  pesti- 
lence and  Apostacy,  we  are  only  contending  against 
a  contriva'ice,  wln'ch  is  derogatory  to  God,  and  de- 
gradation to  the  human  family ;  which  tyrannizes  with 
divine  assumptions,  over  the  bodies  ajid  souls,  and 
brutalizes  all  the  faculties  of  men.  But  all  the  arti^ 
fiees  wiiich  the  i^'riars  contrived,  all  the  terrors  whicli 
the  Inquisition  circulated,  all  the  delusions  which 
the  adhere -its  of  the  Beast  promulged,  and  all  the 
tortures  which   general  military  ravage,  and  more 


CENTURIES    VII XVf.  221 

imlividualizcd  persecution  could  disseffiirate,  hj  tiic^ 
superintending  providence  of  God,  were  rendered 
instrumental  to  the  birth  and  growth  of  that  spirit 
of  resistance,  which  burst  forth  in  all  its  forceful 
ebullitions,  when  the  third  Angel  cried  "  with  a  loud 
voice,  if  any  man  worship  the  beast  and  his  image,, 
and  receive  his  mark  in  his  forehead,  or  in  his  hand^ 
the  same  shall  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of 
God,  and  the  smoke  of  their  torment  ascendeth  up 
for  ever  and  ever." 

Rio;hteously,  therefore,  does  every  christian  feel 
alarm  at  the  resuscitation  of  a  system,  which  former- 
ly covered  Europe  with  gross  darkness,  and  filled 
it  with  misery  and  vice.  That  wjthin  the  Protest- 
ant portion  of  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast,  the  Papal 
cause  is  increasing,  admits  of  no  doubt ;  and  no  other 
mode  to  counteract  it  apparently  exists,  but  the  tu- 
ition of  youth  in  elementary  knowledge,  and  the 
dissemination  of  the  sacred  volume  by  means  of  the 
Missionaries. 

But  from  this  review,  we  may  derive  some  valua- 
ble instruction.  How  great  is  our  privilege,  that  we 
dwell  in  aland,  the  illumination  of  which  renders  all 
Jesuitical  machinations  to  delude  us,  ineffectual ! — 
How  vast  our  obligations  to  the  great  head  of  the 
church,  who  has  delivered  us  from  the  dread  of  Pa- 
pal excommunication,  and  the  mysterious  horrors  of 
that  Purgatory,  which  diminished  all  the  energies  of 
mankind,  and  which  peopled  the  aerial  regions  and 
the  dormitories  of  the  dead,  with  the  most  territic 
spectres  ever  present,  and  ever  inimical ! — Hov/  su- 
perior is  our  allotment !  a  crazy  enthusiastic  Monk 
cannot  now  subvert  the  foundations  of  human  society, 
that  a  fiend -like  despot  may  be  aggrandized  to  god- 
like pre-eminence.  How  enrapturing  the  thought  ; 
that  ere  long,  neither  the  Russian  with  his  Knout, 
shall  trammel  man  within  his  superstitious  absurdi- 
ties ;  nor  shall  a  Turk  with  his  Bastinado,  bow  him  to 
profess  the  delusions  of  Mohammed's  apostacy;  no? 
shall  a  Spanish  Inquisitor,  while  he  racks  vitality 


222  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE   XII 

from  the  heart,  extort  blasphemy  from  the  mouth ! 
Their  arms  shall  be  withered  for  ever ;  and  the  great 
multitude  shall  all  combine  in  the  extatic  chorus. 
'*•  Alleluia  j  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigneth;." 
Amen. 


i  The  two  witnesses  ivhoprop'nesij,  •"  clpthe^.  ifi  saekcloth,'" — 
and  the  events  tchich  produced  ''-the  ever-blessed  Reform- 
ation.''^ 


Connected  with  the  establishment,  progress,  and 
final  overthrow  of  the  apostate  Hierarchy,  contrived 
by  the  "  Man  of  Sin ;"  John  in  Patmos  beheld  the 
characteristic  features  of  the  witnesses  who  should 
commence  their  prophetical  opposition  to  the  Papal 
perversions  of  evangelic  truth,  almost  simultaneously 
with  the  consummate  evolution  of  this  appalling 
despotism.  The  prediction  recorded  in  the  Apoca- 
lypse 11 :  1 — 14,  is  a  condensed  narrative  of  the  sue- 
cessive  testimony,  which  in  all  ages  has  been  promulg- 
ed,  with  various  energy,  against  the  enemies  of  the 
unadulterated  gospel  of  Jesus.  It  has  been  already 
intimated  that  the  mystical  number  666  can  be  appli- 
ed to  nothing  but  the  Latin  church ;  and  it  is  not  a 
little  remarkable  that  Irenseus,  the  disciple  of  Poly- 
carp,  nearly  500  years  prior  to  the  developement  of 
this  congeries  of  abominations,  concluded  from  his 
scriptural  researches,  through  divine  illumination, 
that  Rome  would  be  the  seat  of  the  Beast.  This  is  a 
plain,  complete,  and  the  only  applicable  exposition  of 
the  subject,  which  proceeds  from  the  very  earliest 
antiquity;  for  Irenaeus  affirms,  that  this  was  the  deci- 
sion of  them  who  saw  and  conversed  with  the  beloved 
Apostle ;  and  consequently  it  is  not  improbable,  that 
he  was  permitted  to  communicate  this  interpretation 
on  his  infallible  authority,  that  the  fulfilment  of  the 
prophecy  in  subsequent  ages,  might  render  the  facts 
ij  connected  with  it  more  remarkable.  One  public  cir- 
cumstance, the  Papal  ordinance,  that  all  the  services 
'^f  the  church  should  be  in  the  Latin  tong-ue.  wiiich 


22-1  ECCLESIASTICAL    HlSTORV.  LtOTURfi  Xli 

was  authoritatively  promulged  in  the  year  660,  seems 
to  deteriniiie  with  undeniable  accuracy  the  a|)olica- 
tioii  ot'thc  mystery. 

til  addition  to  this  authenticated  event,  the  ap- 
pearance ot'a  regular  dissent  from  the  exactions  and 
mandates  oflhe  Roman  ecclesiastical  tyranny,  cannot 
be  traced  to  a  more  distant  period,  than  the  era, 
when  the  worship  of  God,  through  the  universal  ban* 
ishment  of  the  vernacular  languages,  became  a  mix- 
ture of  unmeaning  iiicomprehensible  gibberish,  and  of 
solemn  ceremonial  mummery.  To  illustrate  the  na- 
ture of  that  prophecy  uhich  the  witnesses  pronounc- 
ed against  Babylon  the  Great;  and  to  mark  the  dif- 
ferent periods  of  their  manifestation — they  may  be 
divided  nito  two  classes  ;  individuals,  and  societies. 
/.  Individuals. 

The  controversy  respecting  Images,  it  has  been 
already  evinced,  produced  a  vast  protest  against  the 
Romisli  idolatrous  bulls.  Emperors,  Councils,  and 
a  large  number  of  Prelates  dispersed  in  their  various 
dioceses,  endeavoured  to  resist  the  introduction  of 
this  Pagan  corruption ;  but  in  vain  :  the  Dragon  and 
the  Beast  eventually  triumphed.  Clement  and  Sam 
son,  two  Cuidees  in  Scotland,  were  excommunicated, 
for  their  aversion  from  the  Pope's  supremacy,  Imago 
worship,  Masses,  and.  the  Celibacy  of  the  Priests. 
After  these,  arose  Bede,  in  England,  who  displayed 
the  Romish  corruptions  with  great  boldness  and  ani 
mation.  Alcuin,  in  France,  in  consequence  of  hb 
detestation  of  Idolatry,  and  his  resolute  irrefutable 
arguments  against  that  monstrous  fiction,  Transub- 
stantiation.  was  arraigned  several  years  after  hir. 
death,  and  branded  as  a  Heretic.  Agobard  in  France, 
also  stedfastly  resisted  the  introduction  of  the  Images, 
and  as  a  consequence,  his  writings  were  condemned 
to  the  flames.  Claudius,  in  Italy,  vehemently  de- 
fended the  truth  against  the  Pagan  Christians  ;  and» 
through  the  divine  benediction,  so  successful  were 
his  labors,  that  it  is  probable  the  seed  which  he  . 
strewed,  afterwards  sprung  up  among  the  valleys  of 


-  -  CENTURIES    Vn XVI.  225 

Piedmont,  and  produced  that  abundant  harvest  of 
Christians,  the  iniraortal  Waidenses. 

In  the  ninth  century,  John  Scotus,  for  his  aeute 
resistance  to  the  introduction  of  thd  Papal  corrup- 
tions, was  murdered  in  Englaiid  by  his  own  Students 
when  instructing  tiiem  at  Oxford.  Bertram  in  I^'rance, 
and  Maurus  in  Germany,  fearlessly  but  without  suc- 
cess, also  wielded  "the  sword  of  the  spirit  which  is 
the  word  of  God"  against  •'  the  son  of  perdition." 
Haymo  an  Anglo-Saxon,  Fortunatus  and  Hulderic 
Germans,  Lupus  and  Remigius  Italians,  and  especi- 
ally Hincmar,  openly  defied  the  Pope,  and  trampled 
with  scorn  upon  his  bulls   and  decretals. 

Of  the  tenth  century,  scarcely  a  vestige  remains; 
the  Papal  advocates  desciibe  this  period,  ''as  the 
most  debauched  and  wicked,  the  most  illiterate  and 
ignorant  since  the  coming  of  Christ  ;  the  Popes 
during  150  years  were  more  like  Apostates  than 
-Apostles.  Christ  then  appeared  to  be  in  a  very  deep 
,slumber  when  the  ship  was  covered  with  waves  ; 
and  disciples  were  wanting,  who  by  their  cries 
might  awaken  him,  being  themselves  all  fast  asleep." 
However,  some  few  like  lights  shining  in  a  dark 
place,  remonstrated  against  the  prevalent  degene- 
racy "and  superstition.  Smaragdus,  a  Saxon,  con- 
futed many  of  the  Popish  errors ;  Alfric  in  England 
was  very  zealous  against  the  corporeal  presence ; 
^Bernct  in  Scotland  resisted  the  attempt  to  legalize 
celibacy;  and  at  Oxford  many  persons  pronounced 
the  Papacy  to  be  Antichrist. 

Notwithstanding  tfie  following  age  M'as  ingulphed 
in  a  darkness  equally  gross  with  that  which  en- 
shrouded the  prior  century  ;  and  amid  all  the 
croisading  enthusiasm,  much  effect  accompanied 
the  energetic  writings  and  exertions  of  a  i'cw  lencwn- 
ed  individuals.  Berengarius  in  France,  so  effectu- 
ally counteracted  the  doctrine  of  Transubstantiation, 
that  immense  multitudes  rejected  this  cardinal  dogma 
of  modern  Popery.  Bruno  likewise  strenuously  enga- 
ged in  (he  conflict  for  his  support;  Dam.casius  in  Italy, 


22o  LCiLL^lASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XII. 

pointed  his  spiriiual  weapons  against  the  Beast  him- 
s?h^  in  his  pride  and  majesty  :  Fulbert  and  Ido  in 
France,  and  Ans?lm  in  England,  co-operated  in  the 
same  warfare,  bv  promulging  a  considerable  propor- 
tion ol  evano^clic  truth. 

Thus  ended  the  almost  impenetrable  gloom  of  the 
*•  obscure,  iron  and  leaden  age  ;"  for  during  the 
twelfth  century,  themorning's  dawn  upon  the  ten  king- 
doms is  perceptible.  The  number  of  the  w  itnesses 
indefinitely  multiplied.  Fluentius  in  Italy  was  me- 
naced with  the  utmost  terror,  for  preaching,  that 
"Antichrist  had  entered  the  world."  Bernard  with 
all  his  bigotry,  loudly  vocilerated  against  the  pre- 
valent corruptions,  and  most  eloquently  demons- 
trated, that  the  Apocalyptical  Beast  was  the  Lntin 
Pope.  Arnold  of  Brescia,  for  the  resistless  force 
with  which  he  combated  the  monkish  heresies,  was 
burnt  at  Rome ;  and  his  ashes  were  committed  to 
the  river  Tiber,  to  prevent  the  people's  veneration 
of  his  character  and  virtues.  Peter  de  Bruis  and 
Henry,  in  consequence  of  their  doctrines,  so  offen- 
sive and  inimical  to  the  Papacy,  were  martyred  :  the 
former  by  fire,  the  latter  by  imprit^onment  for  life. 
To  which  names  may  be  added  Joachim  of  Calabria, 
w''.o  fervently  taught,  that  the  then  Pope  was  that 
Antichrist,  ^-  who  is  exalted  above  all  that  is  called 
God.  and  worshipped.'^ 

Almaric,  in  the  next  century,  suffered  death,  for 
der.yingTransubstantiation  and  Image-worship:  and 
because  he  had  declared  himself  against  the  Hier- 
archy, his  bones  were  burnt  after  his  martyrdom. 
Grosihead  of  Lincoln  was  so  inveterate  an  opponent 
of  the  Papacy,  that  he  was  denominated  ••  the  Maul 
of  the  Romans:  and  when  "he  was  excommunicated 
by  the  Pontiff."  he  defied  him  and  his  anathema. 
To  these  may  be  subjoined,  Matthew  Paris  and  John 
Scotus,  whose  testimony  against  the  frauds,  pomp, 
tyranny,  follies  and  superstition  of  the  Apostate 
Hierarchy,  hastened  the  progress  and  expanded 
the  influence  of  the  li^ht  and  the  truth.     But  these 


CENTL-RIES    VII, XVI.  22/ 

men,  great  and  valuable  as  were  their  labours,  \vore 
much  obscured  by  the  irradiations  of  Wickclit}". 
*•  the  morning  star  of  the  Relbrmation."'  In  him, 
every  Christian  hails  a  Brother;  every  good  citizen 
a  distinguished  Philanthrophist.  and  all  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  promulgation  ot'the  gospel,  one  of  their 
earliest  Coadjutors.  Notwithstanding  all  the  impor- 
tant effects  produced  by  his  v.ritinjis  and  preaching, 
his  strongest  assault  upon  the  citadel  of  papal  delu- 
sion v.as  displayed  in  his  translation  of  the  holy  Bible 
into  the  English  language.  He  remained  safe  a^nid 
every  storm,  and  tinally  died  in  peace ;  but  about 
forty  years  subsequent  to  his  death,  his  bones,  or 
those  of  some  other  person  were  burnt  by  order  of 
the  council  of  Constance.  From  this  period  until 
the  thunders  of  Luther  and  his  Brethren  reverbe- 
rated, the  opponents  of  the  Beast  augmented  in 
number,  diligence  and  hardihood.  Sawtre  a  preach- 
er, and  Cobham  a  noble,  v.ere  burnt  in  England 
for  the  sake  of  the  truth.  Jerome  Savanarola  expe- 
rienced the  same  miserable  punition  at  Florence, 
because  he  urged  a  reformation  in  the  church  ;  and 
the  murderous  arm  of  persecution  was  raised  to  ex- 
tirpate every  individuaL  who  dared  to  dissent  trom 
the  predominant  authority.  Many  in  Bohemia, 
France.  Germany  and  England,  both  by  their 
preaching;  and  writings,  assailed  with  ceaseless  and 
uiiintermiiting  vigour,  the  traditions  and  practice  of 
the  popedom  :  and  vast  numbers  of  persons  were 
called  to  seal  the  truth  with  their  blood.  But  of  all 
the  single  personages  whose  talents,  influence  and 
virtues  attracted  the  most  distinctive  attention  at 
that  era,  and  in  every  posterior  age,  John  Huss  and 
Jerome  are  the  chiefs. 

John  Huss,  in  consequence  of  his  decided  superi- 
ority of  genius  and  intelligence,  had  been  appointed 
rector  of  the  university  of  Prague :  and  from  the 
inlluence  which  this  elevated  station  gave  him.  his 
*  ilminations  against  the  various  abuses  and  impcs- 

:es  of  the  Romish   church  attracted   unbouiidecl 


228  KCCLKSIASTICAL    HIST01l\'.  i.l^'.f  TUIIE  Xlf. 

attention  and  commanded  general  credence.  In 
consequence  of  liis  denunciations  against  the  IJier- 
archy  he  was  cxcommunicaicil  at  Rome,  and  having 
been  precluded  from  preaching,  could  only  instruct 
by  his  written  works.  The  infamous  council  of 
Constance  enjoined  his  attendance  before  them, 
to  declare  his  faith ;  which  summons  he  obeyed, 
having  been  provided  with  an  imperial  pasport  gua- 
ranteeing his  personal  safety;  and  where  he  arrived, 
attended  by  John  deChlum  and  other  grandees  of 
dignity  and  virtue.  He  was  speedily  accused,  arrest- 
ed and  imprisoned.  Tlie  imperial  authority  was 
violated,  the  Emperor's  promise  annulled,  and  after 
every  perversion  of  decency,  and  every  mockery  of 
justice,  he  W3S  consumed  in  the  iiames.  Jerome  had 
gone  to  Constance  to  defend  and  support  his  friend 
Huss,  but  perceiving  that  no  beneiit  could  result 
from  his  interposition,  he  escaped  ;  but  prior  to  his 
arrival  at  Prague,  he  was  seized,  and  conducted 
back  in  chains  to  Constance;  where  he  experienced 
every  possible  indignity.  Bound  to  a  post,  with  his 
bands  chained  to  his  neck,  he  remained  ten  days 
supported  only  with  bread  and  water.  After  some 
time  he  was  introduced  to  the  council,  and  by  me- 
naces and  promises  was  induced  to  retract  his  sen- 
timents; but  beisig  throu--;h  divine  grace,  reinstated 
in  his  fortitude,  he  boldly  declared  his  j-cpentancc 
for  his  former  dereliction,  and  being  condemned, 
followed  his  friend  Huss  in  the  chariot  of  fire,  to 
that  glorious  region,  where  "  neither  shall  the  sun 
light  on  them,  nor  any  heat.'" 
//.  Socielies. 

The  origin  of  those  associated  Christians  who 
combined  to  resist  the  papal  usurpations,  is  lost  in 
the  gloom  of  that  midnight  which  enveloped  the 
church  after  the  elevation  of"  the  Man  of  Sin'-  until 
the  twilight  of  intelligence  re-appeared,  about  250 
years  prior  to  the  Reformation. 

These  early  protestants  seem  to  have  been  a 
branch  of  the  eastern  Paulicians  :  and  were  primarily 


CENTURIES    VII XVi.  229 

Miioininaled  llje  Catliari  or  Puritans,  because  (hey 
were  "  not  conformed  to  the  world;"  afterwards 
{leing  condemned  by  a  council  at  Albigia  they  were 
[led  Albigenses,  and  as  their  principal  residence 
s  near  Lyons  in  France,  they  were  designated  as 
Leonists;  and  of  them  the  following  remarkable 
testimonial  is  recorded  by  a  Dominican  Inquisitor 
ueneral.  "Among  all  the  sects,  which  still  are  or 
!i;vve  been,  there  is  not  any  more  pernicious  to  the 
cliurch,  than  the  Leonists.  First,  because  it  is  older ;. 
ior  some  say  it  has  endured  from  the  time  of  Sylvester; 
olhers  from  the  Apostles — second,  because  it  is  more 
ii<Mieral ;  for  there  is  scarcely  any  country  where  this 
-ret  is  not — third,  because  they  have  a  great  show 
<*r  piety,  live  justly  before  men,  and  believe  ""ali 
things  rightly  concerning  God,  only  they  blaspheme 
ihe  church  of  Rome  and  the  clergy."  But  their 
Instory  during  five  hundred  years  after  the  com- 
mencement of  the  witnesses  prophesying  in  sackcloth 
js  either  buried  in  almost  total  oblivion,  or  has  not  yet 
been  minutely  discovered.  From  that  period,  they 
appear  in  more  prominent  features,  and  their  princi- 
ples, doctrines,  character  and  sufferings  constitute 
a  very  interesting  portion  of  ecclesiastical  annals. 
The  Waldenses  enjoy  the  pre-eminence.  They 
were  much  invigorated  and  their  unity  cemented,  by 
the  acquisition  of  Peter  Weldo,  probably  the  first 
of  the  reformed  propagators  of  the  Bible:  a  merchant, 
by  whose  labours  and  zeal  about  the  year  1170,  the 
Gospels  and  other  parts  of  the  Scripture,  with  other 
pure  writings  of  antiquity,  were  translated  and  dis- 
persed in  the  French  language.  Their  interior  eco- 
nomy it  is  unnecessary  at  large  to  detail ;  it  is  suffi- 
cient to  observe,  that  in  all  the  predominant  and 
essential  articles  of  Christian  faith,  they  believed 
with  Galvin  the  Genevan  Reformer.  Of  their  Chris- 
tian attainments  and  practice,  the  following  facts 
will  afford  convincing  evidence.  During  a  fiery 
persecution  in  Merindol  and  Provence  ;  a  monk  was 
despatched  to  convince   the  heretics,   as  they  were 


230  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XU. 

calumiiiously  named,  of  their  errors,  that  the  autho- 
rised barbarities  might  cease.  The  preaching  Friar 
speedily  fled  trom  his  mission  in  disgrace,  candidly 
acknowledging,  that  during  his  whole  life  he  liad 
not  known  so  much  of  the  scriptures  as  he  had  been 
taught  ir>a  few  days  during  his  conferences  with  the 
heretics.  Another  missionary  avowed,  that  he  had  im- 
bibed more  of  the  doctrine  of  salvation  irom  the  re- 
phes  of  the  V/aldensian  children  in  their  catechisms, 
than  from  all  the  instructions  of  the  Sorbonne  univer- 
sity at  Paris.  Lewis  XII.  king  of  France,  overcome 
by  the  clamorous  importunity  of  the  Dominicans, 
commanded  two  dignified  persons  to  investigate  the 
character  and  lives  of  these  anathematized  Christians. 
After  their  research,  they  reported,  that  "  in  visiting 
all  their  parishes  and  temples,  they  discovered 
neither  images  nor  Roman  ceremonies,  but  that 
they  could  not  perceive  the  smallest  trace  of  the 
crimes  with  which  they  were  charged  ;  that  the 
Sabbath  was  most  strictly  and  devoutly  observed  ; 
that  their  children  were  baptized  according  to  the 
rules  of  the  primitive  church,  and  instructed  in  the 
articles  of  christian  faith,  and  the  commandments  of 
God."  Lewis  having  received  this  testimony,  af- 
firmed with  a  great  oath,  '•'  they  are  better  than 
myself  or  my  people."  . 

The  miseries  which  they  endured  for  the  sake  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  were  of  the  most  acute  nature.  It  is 
improper  to  describe  the  b  irbarous  indecencies  with 
which  they  were  agonized  ;  and  too  painful  to  unfold 
the  perfidious  hypocrisy  and  malignant  baseness, 
which  accompanied  the  scenes  of  carnage  and  deso- 
lation that  invariably  attended  the  march  of  three 
hundred  thousand  armed  men,  instigated  by  avarice 
and  superstition,  and  of  the  moveable  dungeons,  in 
which  Dominic  and  his  myrmidons,  incarcerated  their 
victims,  prior  to  their  ascent  to  Para<lise,  in  the  char- 
iot of  fire.  One  fact  in  its  connection  with  poisterior 
history,  will  evince  the  extent  of  their  wos,  and  the 
anutterable  folly  of  persecution.     During  the  first  20 


CENTURIES    VII XVI.  231, 

years  after  the  establishment  of  the  Inquisition,  the 
infernal  havoc  among  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  had 
been  so  boundless,  that  at  that  era,  some  of  the 
more  considerate  French  Bishops,  requested  the  in- 
quisitorial Monks  to  postpone  their  arrests  and  im- 
T>nsonment  of  the  people,  until  their  Grand  Master  in 
iniquity,  the  Pope,  had  been  informed  of  the  numbers 
^vho  then  were  apprehended  ;  for  whom,  they  declar- 
ed it  Avas  impossible  for  them  either  to  provide  ample 
subsistence,  or  to  procure  stone  and  mortar,  sufficient 
for  the  erection  of  prisons  to  confine  them.  "The 
blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  church ;"  for 
notwithstanding  from  this  period  until  1530,  three 
hundred  years  after,  the  incessant  oppressions  and 
persecutions  of  Antichrist  worried  these  sheep  "with 
unrelenting  tortures,  which  they  sustained  with  ad- 
mirable constancy,  patience,  and  fortitude;  at  the 
commencement  of  the  reformation,  nearly  one  million 
of  persons  were  known  to  profesg  the  rehgion  of  the 
primitive  Waldenses.  "  Here  is  the  patience  of  the 
saints  ;  here  are  they  who  keep  the  commandments  of 
God  and  the  faith  of  Jesus  :  blessed  are  the  dead  who 
die  in  the  Lord,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labours, 
and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

As  a  regular  consequence  of  the  unceasing  depriva- 
tioos  and  dangers  to  which  the  Waldenses  were  ex-^ 
posed,  those  who  could  fly,  est:aped  into  other  regions; 
where  in  secrecy,  they  might  worship  God  according 
to  tlieir  own  conscientious  dictates  and  the  Avord  of 
truth.  Of  these  the  Bohemians  and  Moravians  formed 
themselves  into  a  compact  body;  and  after  the  mur- 
der of  Huss  and  Jerome,  under  the  command  of  John 
Ziska,  a  man  of  most  inflexible  resolution  and  un- 
daunted courage,  resolved  to  defend  themselves  a- 
gainst  persecution,  and  if  they  Avere  molested,  to  main- 
tain their  rights,  by  force.  After  a  long  contest,  in 
which  every  act  of  horrid  cruelty  Avas  perpetrated, 
the  Roman  policy  prevailed  ;  part  of  the  Avarriors 
was  cajoled  into  submission  to  the  Pontiff  of  Satan; 
while  the  remainder,  thus    enfeebled,  became  the 


232  FXCLESIASTICAL  HISTORV.  LECTURE    XII. 

prey  of  imperial  armies  and  the  inquisitors'  chains. 
Yet  they  survived  the  tornado  :  immense  maltiludcs 
united  with  Luther  and  Calvin  and  Zuinglius:  a.nd  a 
few  who  retained  their  predilections  for  the  customs 
and  economy  of  their  ancestors,  in  modern  ti'mes^ 
have  emerged  from  obscurity,  as  those  pioneers 
of  the  Missionary  cause,  tlie  Moravians  or  United 
Brethren. 

In  England,  these  old  Protestants  were  originally- 
reproached  by  the  epithet  Lollards  ;  and  in  a  later 
period,  as  Wicklithtes :  and  it  is  not  a  little  remiirk- 
able,  that  the  family-likeness  among  tliese  pilgrims 
scattered  in  Piedmont,  Bohemia  and  England,  should 
have  been  so  uniform  ;  for  in  all  the  prime  cpialities, 
and  in  all  the  distinctive  features  of  the  children 
adopted  by  God  into  "  the  household  of  faith,''  they 
were  identical.  They  abjured  the  Papacy ;  despised 
human  traditions ;  adhered  solely  to  the  oracles  of 
God  ;  rejected  all  the  superstitions  which  had  been 
incorporated  with  the  christian  system  ;  exemplified 
all  the  devotion,  meekness  and  purity  of  the  followers 
of  the  Lamb  ;  and  knowing  in  whom  they  had  be- 
lieved, and  that  he  was  able  to  keep  that  which  they 
had  committed  to  him  against  that  day  :  patiently 
submitted  to  every  excruciation,  which  hell-inspired 
ingenuity  could  invent,  and  raging  malignity  uitiict. 

It  would  have  been  e>isy  to  amplify  this  catalogue. 
but  our  limits  preclude  enlargement.  Truth  is  uni- 
form; to  it  with  some  exceptions  and  additions,  the' 
opponents  of  (he  Papacy  generally  bowed  ;  the  ex- 
perience of  christians  is  very  much  assimihted  in  all 
its  grand  peculiarities,  in  this  they  were  but  one  ; 
their  testimony,  although  it  was  almost  coeval  with 
the  exaltation  of  "  the  Man  of  Sin,"  to  whom  the 
dragon  gave  '•  his  power,  and  his  seat,  and  great 
authority,"  was  nearly  identical,  although  atlfected 
by  the  continual  mutations  of  850  years  ;  and  ouf 
modern  arguments  against  the  Papal  Hierarchy,  are' 
nothing  more  than  repetitions  a  little  varied,  of  the 
original  resonations  of  the  everlasting  gospel  which 


CENTJRIES    VII. XVi.  2'33 

the  angel  whom  John  saw  flying  m  the  midst  of  hea- 
ven, "  preached  unto  tliem  that  dwell  on  the  earth  ;" 
thereby  verifying  with  indubitable  certainty,  that 
the  individual  and  associated  witnesses,  whom  we 
have  already  enumerated,  with  their  assistants,  are 
*-the  two  olive-trees  and  the  two  candlesticks  stand- 
ing before  the  God  of  the  earth." 

This  view  of  that  glorious  army  of  confessors  who 
in  every  age  contested  the  usurpations  of  Antichrist, 
necessarily  involves  the  question;  with  what  success 
were  their  efforts  attended,  or  to  comprize  a  larger 
:  circle  of  enquiry,  what  were  the  more  immediate 
visible  causes  which  effected  the  partial  demolition 
of  the  sway  of  the  beast,  who  "  had  two  horns  like 
a  lamb,  and  spake  as  a  dragon?  They  may  be 
classed  in  two  divisions. 

/.  Internal 
1.   The  great  schism  in  the  popedom^  by  the  divine 
i  superintendence,  manifestly  enfeebled  the  energies 
I  of  the  Apostate   Hierarchy.     It  commenced  in  the 
i!  arrogance  of  the  then  haughty  Pope,  and  the  bold- 
I  nessofPhilip,  king  of  France.  Boniface  informed  Phi- 
i!  lip,  that  he  as  w  ell  as  all  other  princes  were  obliged, 
1,  by  a  divine  command,  in  all  political,  civil  and  re- 
ji  ligious  affairs,  to  submit  to  the  papal  authority. — 
With  the   utmost  contempt,  Philip  retorted  on  the 
pontiff  in  this  style;  "we  give  your  fool's  head  to 
!  know,  that  in  temporals  we  are  subject  to  no  person." 
The  Pope  immediately  declared,  that  Jesus  Christ 
i  had  subjected  the  whole  human  family  to  his  autho- 
rity, and  that  every  man  who  disbelieved   this  dog- 
\  ma,  was  excluded  from  all  possibility  of  salvation. 
I  In  reply,  the   French  king  employed  Nogaret,  the 
li  most  intrepid  and  inveterate  enemy  to  the  Popes,  who 
||  appeared  before  Luther,  to  publish  a  catalogue  of 
:i  accusations  against  Boniface,  including   a  mass  of 
1  crime,  and  who  demanded  a  council  to  dethrone  the 
I  spiritual  tyrant.      A  sentence  of  excommunication 
!  against  the  king  and  his  adherents  followed ;  upon 
which    Nogaret  with  a  small    force  surprised  the 
2  F 


234  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XII. 

unwary  Pope,  and  during  the  short  period  of  his  cap- 
ture, displayed  to  him  the  most  marked  and  insulting 
indignity;  but  he  was  rescued,  and  speedily  after  his 
return  to  Rome,  died  of  rage  and  anguish  at  his  dis- 
grace isnd  disappointment.  His  successor  reversed  the 
anatb  ma  against  the  French  kiiig,  but  having  filled 
the  papal  chair  during  a  short  period  only,  an  ad- 
herent of  Philip's  was  elected  Pope,  who  removed 
the  seat  of  the  papacy  from  Rome  to  Avignon  in 
France,  where  it  remained  djuring  70  years.  At  this 
period  began  the  grand  separation;  for  after  the 
election  of  Urban  to  the  papacy,  many  of  the  Car- 
dinals offended  by  his  arrogance,  withdrew  from 
Rome,  and  elected  another  Pope,  Clement,  who  re- 
sided at  Avignon ;  from  this  era,  until  the  coun- 
cil of  Constance  annulled  the  authority  and  preroga- 
tives of  all  the  Popes,  by  the  election  of  Martin,  the 
Hierarchy  was  involved  in  a  dissension,  which  filled 
all  Europe  with  distress,  calamity  and  dismay.  Two 
or  three  Popes,  supported  by  some  of  the  horns  of 
the  Beast,  maintained  one  ceaseless  contention;  and 
envh  agltited  the  world  with  his  thundering  anathe- 
mas against  the  other  and  all  his  associates.  Not- 
withstaiuiing  the  extinction  of  all  sense  of  religion, 
and  the  most  scandalous  profligacy  which  even 
pretended  not  to  concealment ;  the  authority  of  the 
Popes  received  a  blow  incurable;  and  multitudes 
believed,  that  the  Gospel  of  Christ  required  not 
such  a  temporal  and  abhorrent  supreme  head:  these, 
after  this  deadly  wound  was  healed,  doubtless  fur- 
nished much  of  the  materials  for  the  fiery  martyrdom. 
2.  The  degeneracy  vf  the  ecclesiastical  orders  consti- 
tuted another  prominent  reason  of  that  excitement 
which  filled  all  Europe  with  commotion,  when  Luther 
enkindled  the  torch  of  truth,  to  irradiate  the  gloomy 
recesses  and  arcana  of  the  Monkish  system.  "That 
word,  Reformation^  said  Martin,  is  more  hated  at 
Rome,  than  thunderbolts  from  heaven,  or  the  last 
day  of  judgment." 


CENTURIES    Vll XVI.  235 

fn  the  re-action  of  human  affairs,  it  is  not  a  little 
marvellous,  that  those  same  vices  and  enormities 
which  introduced,  aggrandized  and  established, 
eventually  obstructed,  diminished  and  undermiiied 
the  Papacy.  Cruelty  and  slaughter  gave  energy  to 
the  popedom;  and  their  ravages  enkindled  that  en- 
mity and  opposition,  which  have  been  assailing  it 
with  forceful  and  incessant  success.  Avarice  and 
ambition  impelled  the  Monster  in  his  ascent,  and 
secured  the  acquision  of  the  triple  crown;  and  the 
inordinacy  of  both  which  was  subsequently  devel- 
oped, taught  men  to  feel,  then  to  think,  and  finally  to 
rebel  against  a  jurisdiction,  which  robbed  all  ihe 
comforts,  and  palsied  all  the  efforts  of  civil  society, 
and  which  rendered  Christianity  a  burden  instead 
of  rest;  and  the  anticipations  of  that "  life  and  immor- 
tality brought  to  light  by  the  Gospel,"  a  source 
of  never-failing  gloom  and  anguish. 

Men  will  submit  to  the  yoke  to  a  certain  degree ; 
but  when  their  chains  are  too  heavy,  they  become 
furious  and  break  them.  Every  sensible  person 
anticipated  a  moral  concussion.  One  of  the  Cardi- 
nals addressing  the  Pope  respecting  the  mission  of 
a  legate  to  England,  to  demand  money  to  supply 
his  magnificent  voluptuousness,  said,  "  Holy  Father, 
we  treat  Christian  kingdoms  as  Balaam  used  his  ass  : 
1  am  afraid  they  will  imitate  her  ;  she,  by  the  seve- 
rity of  his  blows,  brayed  most  horibly,  and  so  will 
they."  The  prediction  has  been  fulfilled.  If  to 
these  are  subjoined  the  shameless  impurity,  the 
notoriously  unmeasurable  perfidy,  their  puerile  su- 
perstitions, and  their  traditional  absurdities ;  we 
shall  feel  no  surprise,  that  combined  with  other 
causes,  which  even  the  Pope  in  all  the  boundless 
plenitude  of  his  power  was  totally  unable  to  control, 
the  progress  of  the  light  and  the  truth  received  an 
impetus  lasting  and  irresistible. 
//.  Exterior. 

Some  of  these  causes  have  already  been  incident- 
ally noticed.     But  in  addition  to  the  flood  of  human 


23{)  ECCLESIASTICAL    HLSTOUV.  LLCTURE  XII. 

iitcratiiro,  tlie  tide  of  which  continued  to  swell  and 
accelerate  its  progress — the  warrini^  witnesses,  who 
t"oiii>;!it '•  the  c;ood  fjght  ot"  faith" — the  silent  but  inex- 
tiiio;nishable  impulse  given  by  the  partial  glimmerings 
•pf  illumination  imbibed  by  those  who  returned  from 
the  rroisades — the  melioration  of  their  tastes  re- 
specting terrestrial  comforts — a  comparative  tone  of 
independence  of  character,  resulting  from  their  long 
enjoyed  semi-freedom,  connected  with  their  un- 
restrained licentious,  undiciplined  mode  of  life, 
while  on  their  pilgrimages,  and  during  their  resi- 
dence in  the  Holy  land — and  tlie  opposition  exhibit- 
ed by  succesive  princes,  especially  after  the  daring 
deiiance  of  Philip  to  Boniface,  and  the  high  prero- 
gatives assumed  by  the  civil  potentates  at  the  coun- 
cil of  Constance — three  other  events  in  their  com- 
bination, decidedly  introduced  a  new  era  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  world  ;  and  in  a  very  lucid  degree,  deve- 
laped  the  wisdom  of  Jehovah  in  his  providential 
government,  and  the  mercy  oflmmanuel  in  the  direc- 
tion of  that  "  church  of  God,  which  he  hath  pur- 
chased with  his  own  blood." 

1.  Tijpography. — This  art  was  discovered  about  the 
year  1110,  audits  universal  adoption,  has  revolution- 
ized mankind.  Now  it  has  become,  in  the  plastic 
hands  of  fervid  Christians,  a  machine,  which  like  the 
miraculous  tongues  of  the  Apostles,  proclaims  to  all 
people  in  their  own  "  tongues,  the  wonderful  works 
of  God."  The  first  purely  evangelical  Reformer,  a 
printed  Bihle^appaarpd  in  11. 50.  But  even  this  inven- 
tion, which  scorns  rdl  human  eulogy,  would  have  been 
circumscribed  in  its  utility,  if  the  Turks  had  not  dri- 
ven the  superior  Greeks  ii  to  the  Latin  provinces. 

2.  The  ovr.rthroir  nf  tlie  Constantinopolitan  Empire. — 
When  the  Turks  had  caj^lured  the  imperial  city,  Con- 
stantinople, they  speedilyeonquered  all  the  European 
possessions  belonging  to  the  (J reek  Emperors.  T<> 
avoid  the  calamities  which  they  saw  impending  over 
their  native  \\\\u\^  multitudes  of  the  most  learned 
Greeks  lied  into  Italy,  and  Germany,  and  transpcri- 


CENTURIES    vir — XVI.  237 

ed  with  them  the  intellectual  treasures  which  had 
so  long  been  immured  in  the  monasteries,  and  other 
depositories  of  learning.  These,  through  "  the  es- 
tabhshmcnt  of  the  press,  were  quickly  disseminated 
in  all  countries,  and  excited  an  unquenchable  thirst 
after  knowledge ;  so  that  the  ancient  Latin  and  Greek 
languages  became  the  objects  of  general  study,  and 
none  of  the  higher  orders  were  contented  without  the 
perfect  acquisition  of  those  tongues  which  then  form- 
ed (he  chief  avenue  to  all  intelligence.  This  con- 
nected with  the  diffusion  of  the  sacred  scriptures, 
not  only  enlightened,  but  also  purified  the  principles 
and  characters  of  men.  Notwithstanding  this  con- 
junction of  fortunate  events,  the  progress  must  have 
been  very  slowly  gradual,  had  not  the  adventurous 
Cohimbus  unveiled  to  astonished  Europe  nearly  one 
half  of  our  globe,  which  until  his  first  voyage  across 
the  Atlantic,  had  been  totally  concealed,  from  human 
observation  and  intercourse. 

3.  The  discovery  of  j^merica. — This  event  filled  Eu- 
rope with  universal  enterprize ;  all  the  nobler  quali- 
ties of  the  heart,  and  all  the  dignified  capacities  of  the 
mind,  in  their  combined  refinement  and  energy,  w  hich 
liad  so  long  continued  dormant  under  the  iron  yoke  of 
Antichrist,  here  found  ample  room  for  display.  It  was 
impossible,  in  the  very  nature  of  things,  that  after 
marine  voyages  so  long  protracted  at  such  great  dis- 
tances, with  novel  books  as  their  only  resource  for 
amusement,  and  where  the  Pope's  name  had  never 
been  heard  ;  men  should  not  realize  some  feelings  of 
that  superiority,  the  consequence  of  their  being  so 
long  uncontrouled,  which  would  take  advantage  of 
the  first  concurrence  of  things,  and  determined  them 
j  to  escape  from  shackles,  in  which  their  own  super- 
stitions no  longer  confined  them. 

But  the  investigation  of  these  topics,  constitutes  no 
part  of  our  design  :  it  is  suihcient  for  us  to  know  and 
rejoice,  that  ?iow  it  would  be  equally  easy  to  confine 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  as  the  illumination  of  stereotype; 
that  ere  long  the  intelligence  ceramunicated  by  the 


238  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XII. 

christian  Greeks,  of  the  15th  century,  to  the  residents 
in  the  Beast's  domains,  will  be  superabundantly 
repaid  by  the  Protestants ;  when  in  the  primitive 
houses  of  prayer,  at  Constantinople,  the  Mufti  shall 
no  more  mumble  his  delusions,  nor  a  worshipper  of 
images  chaunt  his  Litany  to  the  Virgin  Mary  ;  and 
that  the  western  hemisphere,  having  imbibed  the  spi- 
rit of  that  religion,  for  the  sake  of  which  the  Puritans 
peopled  the  then  wilds  of  New  England,  will  endea- 
vor to  promulge  the  influence  of  that  gospel,  until  all 
nations  "  shall  beat  their  swords  into  ploughshares, 
and  their  spears  into  pruning  hooks ;  and  they  shall 
sit  every  man  under  liis  vine,  and  under  his  fig  tree, 
and  none  shall  make  them  afraid." 

Here  let  us  pause  to  admire  the  stupendous  admin- 
istration of  the  High  and  Lofty  One,  who  inliabiteth 
J^ternity."  Upon  what  minute  events,  oiten  depend 
the  most  important  effects.  In  our  period  of  the 
church,  we  are  almost  lost  in  wonder,  that  so  simple, 
so  obvious,  and  so  effectual  a  plan  to  diffuse  the  sa- 
vour of  a  Redeemer's  name,  as  the  promulgatioa  of 
the  bible  in  every  language,  had  never  been  practi- 
cally adopted,  until  within  the  last  20  years;  and  yet 
those  institutions,  organized  to  diffuse  the  scriptures, 
which  transcend  all  possible  estimation,  originated 
in  a  request  for  a  donation  of  a  feAv  Welsh  New  Tes- 
taments. The  only  solution  of  the  ditiiculty,  accord- 
ing to  our  partial  survey,  is,  that  prior  to  the  stimulus 
imparted  by  the  French  revolution,  every  attempt  to 
.deliver  the  nations  from  their  vassalage,  would  have 
been  inefficacious;  and  therefore,  instead  of  encour- 
aging, would  have  paralyzed  all  future  exertion. 
May  not  the  same  general  principle  of  illustration  be 
applied  to  demonstrate  the  superintendence  of  the 
all-wise  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  reference 
to  the  causes  Avhich  produced  the  splendid  illumina- 
tion, that  irradiates,  with  a  halo  of  almost  celestial 
glory,  the  countenances  of  them  who  primarily  re- 
sounded the  blast  of  denunciation  against  "  the  Son 
of  Perdition,"  and  which  it  may  be  presumed  will 


CEATURIliS    Vil— -XVI.  239 

never  cease  to  reverberate,  until  the  Angel  shall  cry 
"mightily  with  a  strong  voice,  Babylon  the  great  is 
fallen,  is  fallen"! 

To  us,  the  type  in  its  continual  use  is  become,  not 
merely  a  luxury,  but  an  absolute  necessary  ol'  life; 
and  no  proposition  is  more  incontestable,  than  the 
liict,  that  Popery  could  not  have  existed  had  the 
Booksellers'  shelves  been  loaded  with  the  purer 
works  of  the  pristine  Christian  Authors.  At  this  pe- 
riod, when  the  ear  of  bigotry  is  inaccessible  by  a 
Missionary's  voice,  the  eye  of  superstition  is  often  as- 
sailed by  the  printed  truth  ;  and  the  heart  evinces, 
that  it  is  vulnerable  by  the  shafts  of  the  Gospel  con- 
veyed in  its  own  vivifying  power,  or  through  the  me- 
dium of  a  religious  tract.  Why,  do  we  in  vain  ask, 
did  no  type  founder  exist  prior  to  the  middle  of 
the  fifteenth  century  }  Why  were  all  the  plains  which 
in  this  Union  now  teem  with  inhabitants,  permitted 
to  remain  only  as  hunting  ground  for  the  roaming 
Aborigines  of  the  Forest  t  4t  would  be  as  easy  to 
reply  to  the  question  ;  why  does  the  wind  diflfer  in 
the  vehemence  of  its  motions,  or  why  does  it  blow  at 
one  period,  and  not  at  another?  The  sovereignty  of 
the  supreme  and  ever-blessed  God,  who  directs  all 
things  for  his  own  glory,  and  the  general  welfare  of  his 
creatures,  is  the  sole  reason  which  can  be  given  for 
these  diversities  of  experience;  and  that  benevolent 
jurisdiction  is  not  less  exhibited  in  the  revelation  of 
those  discoveries  which  benefit  man;  but  likewise 
in  so  concatenating  the  series  of  events,  that  "all 
things  may  work  together  for  good  to  them  who  love 
God,  to  them  who  are  the  called  according  to  his 
purpose." 

This  view  of  the  past,  while  it  imparts  the  most  lofty 
ideas  of  the  divine  wisdom  and  power,  is  also  cal- 
culated to  imbue  us  with  the  most  illimitable  and 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  completion  of  all  those 
prophesies  which  yet,  as  far  as  we  can  judge,  remain 
not  consummated.  We  have  seen  the  visions  of 
six  seals  completed ;  we  have  heard  the  sound  of 


240  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORk'.  LECTURE    XII. 

six  angels,  and  are  convinced  that  all  their  dread 
blasts  have  been  vvofuUy  realized  ;  we  have  witness- 
ed the  evolution  of  the  first  and  second  wos ;  and  we 
have  meditated  upon  the  prophesying  olthe  witness- 
es in  sackcloth,  and  upon  the  proclamations  oi'  the 
first  and  second  Angels  against  the  Anti-christian 
system  ;  it  remains,  that  we  now  join  in  humble  ado- 
ration with  them  who  sing  the  song  of  Moses  the 
servant  of  God,  and  the  song  of  the  Lamb,  saying, 
'•great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty ;  just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of 
Saints." 


THE  REFORMATION. 


Antichi'ist,  in  conformity  with  his  audacious  claim, 
having  exercised  his  prerooative  in  partitioning  the 
lately  discovered  East  Indies,  and  the  Columhian 
continent  between  Portugal  and  vSpain  ;  and  having 
by  persecution  reduced  to  temporary  silence  the  cla- 
mours of  those  who  detested  his  Hierarchy;  all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  Beast  appeared  willing  supinely  to 
a^^quiesce  in  the  enormous  mass  of  absurdity,  and  to 
submit  without  a  murmur,  to  all  the  exactions  which 
a  mandate  from  the  Vatican  inculcated.  Neither 
the  corruption  of  the  inferior  clergy,  nor  the  resto- 
r ition  ofliterature ;  nor  the  avarice,  the  ferocity,  even 
the  bestiality  of  the  Popes,  Alexander,  Juliusand  Leo; 
nor  the  inexpressible  abominations  of  the  Monks  and 
Nuiis  ;  nor  the  depraved  and  miserable  condition  of 
l!ie  n  ifions,  impoverished  and  vitiated  by  the  eccle- 
siastic adherents  of  these  papal  fiend-like  monsters, 
produced  at  the  commencement  of  the  sixteciith 
century  a  solitary  complaint  so  loud  as  to  be  heard, 
or  suuiciently  energetic  to  be  regarded. 

This  death-like  repose,  and  it  is  scarcely  possible 
to  say  which  of  its  characters  is  most  astonishing,  the 
}^ontifical  temerity  in  exercising  its  usurpations,  or 
the  slavish  infatuated  submission  of  the  px^ople.  was 
suddenly  interrupted  by  the  inflexibility,  the  intelH- 
gence,  and  the  virtue  of  a  monk  of  Wittemberg,  who 
like  puny  David, commenced  tlje  battleagainst  theGo- 
iiah  of  the  uncircumcised  Philistines,  and  triumphed. 

Tlie  prophetic  history  of  this  period,  is  recorded  in 
llevelations  14:9 — 13.  In  l^I?,  Tetzel,  a  Dominican 
monk,  travelling  through  Germany,  for  the  purpose 
of  selling  indulgences,  granted  by  the  Atijcislic  Leo, 
v/hicli  Secured  to  the  nurciiaser,  the  remission  of  all 
2  G 


242  ECCLESIASTICAL    HlSTOiiy.  LECTURE    Xllf, 

sins  past,  present  and  future,  however  enormous,  in- 
numerable and  aggravated.  The  impudent  Friar,  in 
the  course  of  his  journey,  arrived  at  Wittemberg, 
where  Luther,  at  that  period,  was  Professor  of  Theo- 
logy ;  there,  with  a  boundless  insolence  of  maimers, 
and  an  indecency  of  style  which  cannot  be  repeated, 
he  detracted  from  the  power  and  merits  of  Jesus  as 
the  Redeemer  of  mankind  ;  and  iniquitously  boasted 
that  "  he  had  saved  more  souls  from  hell,  by  these  in- 
dulgences, than  Peter  had  converted.''  The  decep- 
tions which  he  propagated,  exhibit  the  shameless  nnd 
bold  frauds  that  he  practiced  upon  the  fears  of  his 
audience  ;  '•  the  moment  the  money  tmkles  in  the 
chest,  your  father's  soul  mounts  up  out  of  Purgatory .'*" 

The  intrepid  Martin,  roused  to  the  just  stand- 
ard of  christian  indignation,  on  the  thirtieth  day  of 
October,  1517,  published  ninety  five  propositions,  in 
which  he  pronounced  the  indulgences  delusive,  and 
declared  the  Pope  a  participant  of  theguilt.  Thepress 
aided  the  cause  ;  for  within  iifteen  days,  Germany  was 
filled  with  the  publication,  in  which  commenced  the 
rupture  that  has  despoiled  the  triple  crown  of  its 
dignity,  and  obliged  "  the  IMan  of  Sin,  to  surrender  a 
large  portion  of  his  predominance. 

These  propositions  which  simply  investigated  the 
extent  of  the  Papal  power  conceriiirjg  the  remission 
of  sin,  excited  the  utmost  rage  of  Tetzel,  who  re- 
plied, and  \vas  supported  by  a  number  ofolher  Domi- 
nicans, who  resented  this  attack  upon  tfieir  order. 
Ag  linst  all  these  adversaries,  Luther  maintained  his 
sentiments,  "  the  common  people  heard  him  gladly  :" 
and  his  success  was  so  great,  that  even  the  indiffer- 
ence and  contempt  of  the  voluptuous  Leo  were  elec- 
trified ;  and  lie  commanded  Luther  to  appear  before 
Cardinal  Cajetan,  "either  to  retract  or  to  suffer  pun- 
ishment." Luther  refused  the  former,  and  escaped 
from  their  menaced  condemnation.  Several  attempts 
were  made  to  cajole  the  Reformer  into  submission; 
and  so  circumscribed  were  his  views,  that  if  the 
Lord  had  not  permitted  his  enemies  to  proceed  to  the 


CENTURY    XV 1.  242 

most  outrageous  opposition,  the  truth  would  have 
been  retarded  in  its  progress,  if  not  altogether  con- 
cealed. Public  disputations,  at  which  vast  num- 
bers of  the  most  learned  men  were  present,  continu- 
ally recurred,  and  tended  to  the  dissemination  of  the 
truth.  In  1519,  a  famous  controversy  was  held  at 
Leipsic,  and  in  tfie  course  of  the  debate,  Luther's 
arguments  demolished  "  the  authority  and  suprema- 
cy of  the  Roman  Pontiff  ;"  and  which  was  more  im- 
portant, added  to  the  holy  contest,  a  most  renowned 
fellow  combatant,  Philip  Melancthon. 

During  the  following  year,  the  religious  dissen- 
sions, having  continually  and  rapidly  increased,  Leo 
the  Pope,  consented  to  the  importunate  demands  o^ 
the  Dominicans,  and  issued  his  bull  against  Luther, 
condemning  his  writings  to  be  burnt,  and  commanding 
him  to  retract  his   errors,  within  60  days,  upon  the 
menace  of  excommunication.     This  Papal  arrogance 
clecided  the  Reformer;  without  delay,  he  performed 
the  most  splendid  action,  in  fortitude  and  daring,  re- 
corded in  the  annals  of  the  world.     He  appealed 
from  the  Pope  to  a  general  council,  and  stigmatized 
the  Atheistical  sensualist,  Leo,  "  as  a  rash,  iniquitous 
tyrannical  judge,  a  hardened  heretic  and  apostate, 
as  Antichrist,  the  enemy  and  opposer  of  the  sacred 
scriptures  ;  and  a  proud  and  blasphemous  despiser  of 
the  Church  of  God.''     He  directed  a  large  fire  to  be 
kindled,  into  which,  in  the  presence  of  the  University 
of  Wittemberg  and  immense  multitudes  of  spectators, 
he  contemptuously  cast  the  bull  of  excommunication, 
the  Papal  decretals,  and  the  whole  canon  law  ;  thus 
declaring  his  resolution  to  defend  himself  against  all 
the  attempts  of  his  enemies.     To  justify  this  noble 
and  extraordinary  measure,  he  selected  thirty  of  the 
most  blasphemous  positions  respecting  the  Pope's  au- 
thority, and  with  the  addition  of  some  comments, 
printed  and  universally  dispersed   them;   and  as  a 
consequence  of  the  light  which  they  diffused,  nrsd  the 
spirit  of  resistance  to  the  ignominious  vassah^afe.  un- 
der which  the  people  had  so  long  groaned;  notvdih- 


244  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XII7. 

standing  a  continunl  siicession  of  Papal  fulminations, 
against  Lntfier,  no  person  would  execute  thr;  Pope'? 
command  lor  liis  seizure  and  death. 

in  the  year  1.321,  wa.s  held  the  diet  of  Vrornis;  be- 
fore which  assembly,  consisting  of  all  the  Princes,  No- 
bl  's,  and  Eccle^-iastical  dii^nitnries  of  the  Empire, 
Luther  was  summoned  to  attend.  The  elector  of  Sax- 
ony, Frederic  the  Wise,  procured  from  Charles  the 
Emperor,  and  other  Princes,  a  full  protection  ;  and  e- 
vcry  possible  precaution  was  used  to  sjunrd  the  Re- 
former's life.  Accompanied  by  several  of  his  friends, 
he  proceeded  towards  Worms,  at  a  sliort  distance 
from  which,  Spalatinus,  the  Elector's  Secretary^ 
wrote  to  him,  advising  his  return  :  in  this  situation, 
with  the  i^ipe's  condemnation,  the  Imperial  mandate 
to  seize  all  his  writings,  the  utter  malignity  of  every 
Romish  adherent  of  all  ranks,  and  the  fact  that  even 
the  public  faith  could  not  deliver  John  Huss  and  Je- 
rome from  the  voracious  cruelty  of  the  Inquisitors, 
continually  forcing  themselves  upon  his  notice — all 
the  magnanimity  and  fearlessness  of  the  mighty 
champion  for  the  gospel  was  developed,  when  he 
uttered  the  wondrous  decln ration,  that  "  he  was 
lawfully  called  to  appear  in  that  city  ;  and  thither 
he  would  go  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  though  he 
should  be  obliged  to  encounter  at  Worms,  as  many 
devils  as  there  were  tiles  upon  the  houses  of  that 
city;  this  would  not  deter  him  from  his  fixed  purpose 
of  appearing  there;  that  fear  was  only  a  suggestion 
of  Satan,  who  apprehended  the  approaching  ruin  of 
liis  kingdom,  by  the  confession  of  the  truth,  and  who 
wished  to  avoid  a  pui)lic  defeat  before  so  grand  an 
assembly,  as  the  diet  of  Worms." 

The  highest  personal  vanity  might  have  been  sa- 
tiated by  the  homage  paid  to  liim  during  his  resi- 
lience at  W^orms.  I  lis  habitation  was  continually 
crowded  with  piincely  visitors  ;  and  his  dignity 
and  fortitude  conspicuously  appeared,  when  he  was 
introduced  to  the  Diet.  Two  inquiries  were  pro- 
pounded to  him  by  Eckius  in  the  name  of  the  Em- 


CENTURY    XVI.  Iiij 

peror ;  one  was,  whether  he  acknov,  iet^s:^:'^  the- 
publications  issued  in  his  name  ?  the  other,  whothor 
he  wouhl  defend  or  retract  their  contents?  On  tha 
folloviing  day,  in  reply;  the  Reformer  admitted  th^ 
buoks  to  be  his  writing ;  and  with  christian  aniniation, 
most  energetically  maintained  the  doctrines  which 
they  promulged.  1.  Eckius,  after  Luther  hral  spo- 
ken  during  two  hours  with  the  visible  approbation 
of  a  large  proportion  of  the  numerous  assembly, 
passionately  exclaimed,  that  he  was  not  summoned 
to  state  his  doctrines  ;  they  had  been  already  con- 
demned by  former  councils,  whose  authority  wns  un- 
questionable ;  he  was  only  required  openly  to  say 
whether  he  would  or  would  not  retract  his  opinions.'' 
Luther's  n^emorable  retort  to  this  authoritative  inso- 
lence decided  the  reformation  :  "  my  answer,""  said 
the  invincible  champion  of  truth,  "  shall  be  direct  and 
plain.  I  am  not  bound  to  believe  either  the  Pope 
or  his  councils  ;  for  they  have  often  erred,  and  often 
contradicted  themselves.  Therefore,  unless  I  am  con- 
vinced by  the  word  ofGod  or  reason,  my  belief  is  so 
confirmed  by  the  scriptures  which  I  have  produced, 
and  my  conscience  is  so  deterniined  to  abide  by  the 
Gospel,  that  I  neither  can  nor  will  retract  any  thing; 
for  it  is  neither  safe  nor  innocent  to  act  against  a 
man's  conscience."  Closing  with  the  intrepidity, 
resolution,  and  confidence  of  a  servant  of  Jesus,  who 
like  Moses '' endured,  seeing  him  who  is  invisible." 
'•Ich  stehehier:  fch  kann  nicht  anders  ;  Gott  hijf 
mir.  Here  1  stand  ;  f  cannot  act  otherwise  ;  God 
help  me  :  Amen." 

After  this  public  exhibition  of  the  Reformer's  inflex- 
ibility and  learning,  he  remained  at  Worms  a  short 
period:  during  which, incredible  exertions  were  made 
by  all  the  grandees  of  the  Empire,  secular  and  ec- 
clesiastical, to  induce  him  to  recant.  With  the  com- 
bination of  superior  intelligence  and  evangelical  hu- 
Diility,  he  thanked  them  for  their  attentions  ;   but  his 

!.     Appendix  X. 


246  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    Xlll. 

constant  unvarying,  unalterable  declaration  v.as,  that 
''  he  was  ready  to  do  any  thing,  except  to  deny  the 
plain  word  ot'God." 

When  he  was  pronounced  by  the  bigotted  devo- 
tees of*  the  man  of  sin  "  incorrigible  and  a  contuma- 
cious heretic;"  it  was  proposed  to  Charles  to  imitate 
the  example  of  the  council  of  Constance,  and  by  a 
violation  of  his  imperial  guarantee  of  safety  to  Luther, 
to  exterminate  the  author  of  the  pestilence ;  as  tfiey 
denominated  the  progress  of  the  light  and  the  truth. 
This  Charles  refused,  stating,  ^'  I  should  not  choose 
to  blush  with  Sigismund :"  for  John  Huss,  when  he 
closed  his  defence  before  that  infamous  gang  assem- 
bled at  Constance,  fixing  his  eyes  on  Sigismund  the 
Emperor,  said,  "  I  came  voluntarily  to  this  council, 
under  the  public  faith  of  the  Emperor  now  present ;" 
while  the  guilty  'deceiver  incompetent  to  resist  so 
forcible  an  exhibition  of  his  crime,  "  blushed^  and  bore 
the  countenance  ofa  traitor." 

The  decree  immediately  was  adopted  by  the  Diet 
in  the  Emperors  name  ;  denouncing  Luther  as  an  ob- 
stinate, excommunicated  criminal,  depriving  him  of 
all  civic  privileges,  prohibiting  any  person  from  pro- 
tecting him,  and  commanding  all  the  people  to  seize 
him,  as  soon  as  the  21  days  allowed  him  to  return  to 
Wittemberg,  should  have  expired.  •'  He  who  sitteth 
in  the  heavens  laughed,  the  Lord  had  them  in  deri- 
sion." Frederic  concealed  the  Retbrmer,  from  the 
fury  of  the  tempest;  on  his  return  home,  he  was  seiz- 
ed by  several  masked  friends,  and  transferred  to  the 
castle  of  Wartburg  as  a  place  of  security  ;  this  scheme 
it  is  believed,  was  sanctioned  by  Charles ;  and  it  tend- 
ed eventually  in  a  most  remarkable  degree,  to  the 
progress  and  establishment  of  the  Reformation.  His 
time,  in  this  Patmos,  as  Luther  designated  it,  was  ve- 
ry busily  occupied,  in  writing  consolatory  letters  to 
his  friends,  in  publishing  confutations  of  his  adversa- 
ries, and  especially  in  translating  the  New  Testa- 
ment into  the  German  language.  Thus  the  Lord  o- 
verruled  the  mysterious  exile  of  the  chief  captain  of 


CExNTURY    SVI.  247 

the  Protestant  cause,  and  rendered  it  the  means  by 
which  the  Gospel  was  diffused  in  the  vernacular 
tongue  ;  long  ere  it  could  otherwise  have  been  com- 
pleted, from  the  want  of  leisure,  and  the  immensity  of 
labor,  in  which  those  indefatigable  servants  of  Jesus 
were  continually  engaged. 

A  circumstantial  narrative  of  the  progression  of  e- 
vents  which  conduced  to  the  final  pacific  settlement 
of  the  change  introduced  by  Luther  cannot  be  intro- 
duced in  tiiis  summary  view.  In  general,  it  may  be 
remarked,  that  the  measures  which  were  adopted 
gradually  proceeded  from  surrounding  events:  no 
plan  had  been  systematized,  and  as  the  illumination 
increased, so  the  demolition  of  the  Papal  superstitions 
followed.  During  Luther's  absence,  Carolstadt,  one 
of  the  Professors  in  the  University,  attempted  to  abol- 
ish the  mass ;  to  remove  the  idol  images ;  to  destroy 
auricular  confession,  and  the  invocation  of  saints  ; 
and  had  persuaded  the  Monks  to  depart  from  their 
monasteries  and  to  marry  ;  thus  completely  changing 
all  the  ancient  doctrines  and  discipline  :  although 
these  measures  were  congenial  with  Luther's  views, 
yet  he  complained  of  them  as  rash  and  precipitate. 
At  the  same  period,  Henry  VIII.  wrote  a  volume  in 
defence  of  Popery  against  Luther;  and  from  this 
fact,  the  Protestant  British  kings  derive  their  Popish 
;itl?.  Defender  of  the  faith  ;  with  which  Leo,  who 
was  an  Atheist,  honored  the  licentious  Despotic  Pa- 
pist Henry;  and  which  all  his  successors,  Papist  and 
Protestant,  notwithstanding  its  absurdity,  have  con- 
tinued to  appropriate  to  themselves.  In  his  answer, 
Luther  exhibited  the  most  profound  contempt  for  his 
kingship  ;  with  great  asperity  ridiculed  his  unlovely 
person,  and  displayed  the  wretchedness  of  his  argu- 
ments with  most  biting  sarcasm.  Henry  complained 
of  the  insult;  but  the.  Refonner  only  menaced  him 
with  additional  public  exposure  of  his  ignorance  and 
silliness  if  he  would  not  continue  silent.  How  short 
sighted  is  man  !  little  did  the  haughty  monarch  sup- 
pose, less  did  the  humble  Preacher  anticipate,  that 


*!18  ECCLESIASTICAL  IIISTOKY.  LECTURE  Xlli. 

v>ithi!i  liio  lapse  of  ten  years,  this  same  Defender  of 
the  Failh  would  exterminate  the  Papal  ynpremacy 
throagiiout  Cni;land  and  Ireland.  In  1522,  the  Ger- 
man New  Teslament  was  disseminated,  and  e(iicts_ 
were  immediately  issued  against^its  diffusion  :  this 
opposiiion  roused  the  dorm;int  lion;  for  Martin  in  a 
voluaie,  instantly  attacked  the  Princes  who  published 
lho3C  decrees  against  the  Gospel,  and  pi-onounced 
them  impious  tyrants.  The  University  ol"  Paris  also 
condemned  Luther's  doctrines,  but  the  Boanerges  of 
the  Iletbrmation  animadverted  upon  their  decision 
with  as  much  acrimony  and  scorn  as  if  he  had  been 
trampling  upon  the  meatiest  ignoramus.  (Jontrover- 
sies  with  kings  and  Universities  naturally  excited  uni- 
versal attention ;  and  added  to  Luther's  fame  and  in- 
fluence ;  while  multitudes  in  various  parts  of  Europe 
rejected  the  shackles  of  the  Antichristian  hierarcliy. 
Several  Imperial  diets  were  successively  lield  ; 
one  at  Nuremburg  ;  two  at  Spire  ;  in  wliich  all  the" 
attempts  of  the  Papists  to  crush  the  accelerating  pro- 
gress of  the  truth  were  providentially  counteracted, 
in  the  second  diet  at  Spire,  in  1.529.  four  of  the  Ger- 
man Princes  and  fourteen  cities  protested  against  one 
of  the  decrees  of  that  body  ;  and  hence  originated 
the  general  designation  of  all  those  who  renounce 
the  superstitious  commuiiion  of  Rome,  and  reject  Ihe 
papal  supremacy,  Protestants.  At  Augsburg,  in  a 
subsequent  diet,  the  famous  I..ulheran  coiifession  was 
presented  and  produced  astonishing  etfects;  convinc- 
ing the  ignorant,  deciding  those  who  wavered,  confut- 
ing all  opponents,  and  reanimating  the  friends  of  evan- 
gelical truth.  The  disputations  between  the  parties 
continued  to  increase,  until  at  length  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  form  a  confederacy  at  Smalcald,  to  resist 
if  necessary,  any  attempt  to  force  the  proiestants  to 
Bubmission  by  militsiry  coercion. 

A  peace  was  concluded  favorable  (o  the  protestants 
in  1531  ;  but  t!ie  adherents  of  the  different  principles 
were  so  decidedly  opposed.  lh;it  all  attempts  efFectu- 
ally  to  accommodate  wer^fruitlcss.     The  j^roDositioii 


CENTURY    XYl.  249 

to  sQtnmori  the  council  of  Trent  having  received  the 
decided  rejection  of  the  protestants,  Charles  the  em- 
peror determined  upon  war,  to  subdue  them  to  his 
will  and  the  Pope's  spiritual  authority.  After  much 
commotion  and  many  severe  trials  to  the  protestant 
champions;  the  elector  of  Saxony  surprised  the  em- 
peror, and  reduced  him  to  the  inevitable  necessity  of 
terminating  the  deplorable  calamities  which  had  so 
long  alilicted  the  empire,  by  a  treaty  of  peace  enact- 
ed at  Augsburg,  in  1555;  which  unchangeably  estab- 
lished the  glorious  Reformation.  By  this  compact,  it 
was  authoritatively  and  irrevocably  determined,  that 
"  the  protestants  shall  be  entirely  free  from  the  Ro- 
man pontiff's  jurisdiction  ;  and  are  permitted  to  con- 
duct their  own  ecclesiastical  affairs  without  controul; 
that  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  empire  shall  judge  for 
themselves  on  religion,  and  unite  w  ith  either  church 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  consciences;  and 
that  all  persecutors  upon  a  religious  pretext,  shall  be 
legally  tried  as  enemies  of  the  empire,  invaders  of 
its  freedom,  and  disturbers  of  its  peace  and  harmony." 
la  Switzerland,  rather  earlier  than  Martin  Luther 
commenced  his  opposition  to  Tetzel's  abominations, 
Ulric  Zuingle  had  expounded  the  scriptures  in  truth, 
and  censured  the  errors  of  the  Apostacy.  The  au- 
thority and  supremacy  of  the  Pope,  he  rejected, 
with  almost  all  the  anti-christian  fl^rrago,  anterior 
to  the  period  of  Luther's  liberation  from  the  minor 
trammels  of  the  papacy.  The  Swiss  reformer  was 
a  man  of  the  most  enlarged  intelligence,  and  pos- 
sessed of  vast  penetration  and  sagacity,  accompanied 
w^ith  a  resolute  spirit  of  gospel  heroism  which  knew 
no  dread,  and  through  the  exercise  of  which,  he, 
at  once,  disentangled  himself  from  educational  pre- 
judices and  the  absurdities  with  which  he  had  been 
deluded.  His  most  noble  qualities  were  called  into 
ample  exercise  by  the  same  cause  which  excited 
Luther's  opposition  to  the  Pope.  A  most  abandon- 
ed monk  from  Italy,  named  Samson,  was  selling  his 
indulgences  to  sin  in  Switzerland  in  1519,  with  the 
2H 


250  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    Xllf. 

same  impudent  effrontery  that  Tetzel  had  displayed 
at  Witteinberg.  Zuingle  opposed  him  with  the  most 
strenuous  exertions  and  correspondent  success. — 
Ailed  bv  Ihe  iridepenttent  state  of" the  cantons,  their 
viev/s  ol'  civil  freedom,  the  impossibiUty  of  imped- 
ing his  cause  except  by  exterior  force,  which  the 
convulsed  state  of  Europe  precluded,  and  by  a  host 
of  teachers  who  promulged  his  pure  tenets  of  truth 
to  a  people  already  prepared  to  receive  them  with 
inconceivable  avidity ;  in  a  few  years,  the  Pope's 
suprfjmacy  and  the  stupid  credulity  of  the  people 
through  the  blessing  of  the  Holy  Ghost  upon  their 
instructions  and  writings,  w^ere  banished  from  nearly 
all  Switzerland;  and  so  effectual  was  the  purification, 
thcit  probab'iy  in  no  part  of  the  Reformed  domains, 
Sco'lmd  excepted,  has  pure  and  undefiled  religion 
mfiiniained  its  power  over  its  professed  disciples 
more  constantly  than  in  the  Swiss  Protestant  cantons. 
Two  circumstances,  however,  connected  with  these 
Reformers  must  not  be  omitted.  The  disciples 
of  Luther  and  the  adherents  of  Zuingle  difTered  upon 
a  very  important  topic,  "  the  manner  in  which  the 
body  and  blood  of  Chri&t  are  present  in  the  Eucha- 
rist.*' All  the  disputants  denied  the  dogma  of  tran- 
sub.^tantiation  ;  but  Zuingle  maintained  that  the  sa- 
cramental elements  were  merely  symbols  intended 
to  excite  the  remembrance  of  our  Lord's  death  :  on 
the  contrary,  Lutiier  maintained,  that  the  body  and 
biovul  of  the  Redeemer  were  really  a  constituent  part 
of  the  bread  and  wine.  It  is  scarcely  practicable  to 
comprf^hend  what  the  primitive  Lutherans  under- 
stood by  this  principle;  but  if  any  idea  can  be  de- 
duced IVom  the  "  senseless  jargon"  which  J^uther 
himscdf  uttered  on  this  subject;  it  would  appear, 
that  his  doctrine  was,  if  possible,  more  preposterous 
than  even  the  Romish  monster,  transubstantiation. 
By  these  divisions,  the  cause  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty  was  much  hindered ;  the  parties  having  for- 
got to  '^  keep  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of 
peace." 


CENTURY    XVI.  251 

To  this  deplorable  dissension  must  be  added  the 
internal  commotion  in  Germany  and  its  bordering 
countries,  excited  through  oppression  and  enthusi- 
asm; which  was  very  prejudicial  to  the  cause  of  the 
Gospel.  Myriads  of  fanatical  seditious  persons  arose 
in  various  parts  of  the  Empire,  and  having  concentra- 
ted their  force,  desolated  every  district  through 
which  they  marched,  exhibiting  a  causeless  and  most 
unfeeling  barbarity.  At  length,  the  enthusiast  Mun- 
zer  having  been  appointed  chief  of  the  rabble,  the 
contest  assumed  a  religious  character.  They  pro- 
mulged  sentiments  at  utter  variance  with  all  indivi- 
dual decorum,  domestic  peace  and  social  order; 
and  notwithstanding  the  Protestant  Chiefs  exerted 
all  their  influence  against  this  faction,  the  Papists 
employed  the  inferences  deducible  from  their  con- 
duct, as  a  weapon  with  which  to  kill  the  sacred 
cause  of  Christ.  Among  these  infatuated  marauders, 
we  discover  the  first  systematic  attempt  to  oppose 
the  primitive  church  witii  regard  to  the  ordinance  of 
baptism.  Their  sentiments  were,  that  magistrates 
and  taxes  were  needless;  that  the  baptism  of  infants 
is  an  invention  of  the  devil ;  that  all  things  should 
be  common  stock;  and  that  as  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
^vas  at  hand,  all  earthly  government  was  unnecessary. 
Hence  they  were  called  Anabaptists,  as  repeating 
the  ceremony  of  Baptism.  However,  it  must  be 
admitted,  that  from  the  force  of  prejudice  and  exam- 
ple, the  spirit  of  persecution  raged  against  many  of 
them,  not  for  their  sedition,  although  they  were 
arrayed  against  the  state,  but  merely  for  pretended 
religious  opinions,  the  result  of  error  and  ignorance; 
and  probably  neither  Luther  nor  Zuingle  can  be 
perfectly  exculpated  for  having  been  ingulphed  in 
the  Romish  doctrine,  that  heresy  respecting  the  pre- 
dominant religion,  was  cognizable  and  punishable 
by  the  civil  Magistrate. 

In  1.521,  the  light  of  the  resuscitated  Gospel  shone 
upon  Denmark.  Christiern  II.  a  most  i'urious  tyrant 
was   solicitous  to  exterminate   the  Romish  supersti- 


252  ECCLESIASTICAL    KiHTORY.  LECTURE  XIII. 

lions  from  among  his  subjects;  the  Lord  thus  direct- 
ing his  ambition  to  burst  the  barriers  of  spiritual 
vassalage  tor  his  people.  After  his  exile,  for  his 
cruelties  raised  a  conspiracy  against  him,  and  forced 
him  to  leave  his  domitiions,  Frederic  liis  successor, 
issued  an  edict,  declaring  every  Dane  at  liberty, 
either  to  adhere  to  the  Roman  tenets,  or  to  profess 
the  doctrine  of  the  Protestants  without  molestation ; 
and  permitted  the  marriage  of  the  clergy.  Thus 
stimulated,  the  Reformers  most  zealously  and  suc- 
cessfully promulged  their  opinions  ;  and  Christierti 
III,  the  following  king,  having  supprcBsed  the  odious 
episcopal  authority ;  having  despoiled  the  ecclesi- 
astical voluptuaries  of  their  enormous  wealth;  having 
returned  to  their  >original  owners  the  property  of 
which  tliey  had  been  divested  by  every  species  of  art- 
ifice and  stratagem;  and  having  organized  a  plattbrm 
of  religious  doctrine,  dicipline  and  worship  after  the 
model  cstnblished  at  Wittemberg,  convoked  a  gene- 
ral assembly  of  all  orders  in  the  state,  who  solemnly 
sanctioned  the  royal  measures,  and  thus  within 
twenty  years,  with  little  commotion,  the  dragon's 
beast  with  all  his  authority  and  jurisdiction,  was  de- 
throned in  the  kingdom  of  Denmark. 

During  the  civil  dissatisfactions  excited  by  the 
cruelties  of  Christiern  the  Danish  king;  the  Swedes 
having  refused  longer  subjection  to  the  Danes,  eleva- 
ted to  the  royal  office,  Gustavus  Vasa;  who  had 
imbibed  the  doctrines  of  the  Reformation,  and  who 
perceived  their  importance  to  the  people  of  his  do- 
minions, if  they  could  be  introduced  and  established. 
Every  measure  which  this  patriot  adopted  was  e- 
equally  wise  and  successful.  In  him  the  Bible 
Societies  hail  a  powerful  coadjutor:  he  primarily 
commanded  that  a  Swcrlish  translation  ofthe  Scrip- 
tures should  bo  universally  diffused.  When  the 
minds  of  his  people  had  become  in  some  measure 
illuminated,  by  the  perusal  and  exposition  of  the 
oracles  of  truth;  he  appointed  a  public  disputation 
at  Upsal,  in  1526,  in  which  Olaus  Petri,  the  Protes- 


CENTURY   XV F.  2.'j3 

tant  champion  obtained  a  splendid  triumph  over  tho 
cavils  and  follies  ot"  his  opponent :  the  publication  of 
this  renowned  debate  conhrnied  the  minds  ot  all  who 
were  attached  to  Luther's  cause,  and  with  astonish- 
ing rapidity  multiplied  the  converts  to  the  truth. 
Against  these  innovations,  as  they  were  denominated 
by  the  devotees  of  the  Hierarchy,  the  Popish  eccle- 
siastical dignities  most  vehemently  roared  ;  they  had 
grasped  nearly  all  the  possessions  of  the  country : 
their  revenues,  power  and  intluence  far  transcended 
that  of  the  executive  government;  their  debauchery 
and  opulence  were  commensurate ;  and  ihey  easily 
perceived  the  inevitable  consequences  which  would 
succeed  the  beams  of  light,  that  were  then  winging 
their  course  into  every  hamlet  and  cottage  of  the 
kingdom. 

Nothing  was  necessary,  but  some  trifling  occur- 
rence which  the  Bishops  were  ever  ready  to  seize,  to 
transform  the  kingdom  into  one  universal  Aceldama, 
where  between  the  Protestant  attachments  and  the 
Popish  bigotry,  the  ancient  hierarchy  might  be  en- 
abled to  infix  themselves  more  firmly  in  their  terrific 
sway.  At  this  crisis,  in  1527,  Gustavus  summoned  a 
gen<^ral  convocation  of  the  senators,  bishops,  nobles, 
clergy  and  the  conmions  ;  in  which  he  proposed  by 
the  chancellor  the  reformation  of  the  church.  The 
Eisliops  having  previously  entered  into  a  solemn 
compact  to  defevsd  the  Pontiflfand  the  craft,  with  one 
voice  rejected  the  royal  proposal,  and  thus  stimula- 
ted a  universal  negative  from  all  the  votaries  of  An- 
tichrist. Immediately  after  their  clamour  had  sub^ 
sided.  Gustavus  entered  the  assembly,  and  avowed 
his  determiiiatioi:  to  resign  the  government  and  mi- 
grate from  his  country,  rather  than  rule  a  people  en- 
slaved by  th*^  '^ape,  and  more  controlled  by  episco- 
pal tyranny,  than  by  the  laws  of  the  land.  This  deci- 
ded the  commons,  whose  love  for  Gustavus  in  conse- 
quetice  of  his  having  liberated  them  from  the  Danish 
bondage,  knew  no  bounds  ;  for  they  instantly  mena- 
ced the  refractory  bishops  and  their  vassals  with  the 


254  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XIIJ. 

popular  vengance,  if  they  did  not  -without  delay,  sub- 
mit to  their  sovereign  ;  and  thus  tlie  Beast's  -power 
and  great  authority"  in  Sweden  were  etreclualiy, 
completely  and  irrevocably  exterminated. 

The  crooked  policy  of  Francis  1.  king  of  France, 
impeded  the  inftuence  of  the  protectant  cause  in 
that  nation.  F^ersecution  and  toleration  continually 
succeeded  each  other,  until  during  a  number  of  years 
Ihat  vast  country  resembled  a  charnal  house  :  one 
beneiit  however  followed,  even  the  terrors  of  the 
French  king's  murderous  edicts,  it  transferred  Calvin 
to  a  place  of  security,  where  he  employed  all  his 
mighty  genius  in  sending  abroad  the  light  and  the 
truth.  The  history  of  the  French  Huguenots  will 
constitute  a  future  theme. 

Had  not  the  secular  power  supported  the  tottering 
edifice,  the  papal  doctrines  and  autliority  would  have 
been  demolished,  even  in  the  Netherlands,  such  pro- 
digious numbers  of  protestant  Christians  arose,  that 
persecution  at  last  induced  the  seven  united  provin- 
ces to  revolt,  and  become  independent  of  the  impe- 
rial and  Papal  jurisdiction. 

Ill  Italy,  the  progress  of  truth  was  arrested  by  the 
Inquisitors,  who  perpetrated  so  many  murders,  that 
the  Reformed  exiled  themselves  into  the  regions 
where  the  gospel  and  its  professors  were  unmolested; 
although  that  engine  of  hell  could  never  enter  the 
kingdom  of  Naples.  By  the  same  process,  the  influ- 
ence of  the  reformation  was  not  experienced  in 
Spain;  for  the  "  Lords  of  the  Holy  office"  there 
reigned  triumphant,  and  every  spark  of  the  gospel 
was  extinguished.  Charles  the  Emperor  himself, 
it  is  supposed,  died  a  Protestant;  and  of  twenty  four 
ecclesiastics,  his  associates  during  his  voluntary 
solitude,  after  his  abdication  of  the  honours  of 
Emperor  of  Germany  and  king  of  Spain,  not  one 
escaped  immediate  death ;  for  as  soon  as  Charles 
expired,  the  Inquisition  seized,  and  either  burnt, 
strangled  or  poisoned  every  one  of  them.  From  that 
period  to  the  present  day,  the  history  of  Spain   in 


CENTURY  XVI.  255 

connection  with  Christianity  is  like  Ezekiei's  vision, 
"a  roll  of  a  book  written  within  and  without,  with 
lamentation   and  mourning  and  wo." 

Notwithstanding  all  the  attempts  to  eradicate 
the  seed  sown  by  WicklifF  and  his  successors  in 
England,  the  pure  truth  was  tacitly  admitted  by  many 
of  the  Lollards,  all  of  whom  avowed  their  attachment 
to  Luther's  opinions  as  soon  as  they  were  promulged 
in  the  island.  The  success  with  which  Luther  com- 
bated the  weak  arguments  of  H^nry,  aided  also  to 
inspire  a  great  veneration  for  the  man  who  trampled 
with  equal  scorn,  upon  a  Pope's  dread  anathema, 
a  Ring's  authoritative  volume,  and  a  University's 
solemn  decretal.  Henry  having  become  disgusted 
with  his  queen,  made  a  pretext,  that  as  she  had 
been  his  brother's  widow,  the  marriage  was  illegal; 
and  finding  it  impossible  to  obtain  the  society  of 
AnnBoleyn  unless  by  marriage,  he  appealed  to  the 
Pope  to  annul  his  matrimonial  covenant  with  Catha- 
rine his  wife.  The  Pope  was  afraid  to  comply  with 
Henry's  request,  lest  he  should  affront  Charles  V. 
who  wasCathraine's  nephew;  and  equally  dreaded  a 
refusal,  on  account  of  the  king's  wrath  :  delay,  equi- 
vcfcation  and  duplicity  aflbrded  the  only  mode  of 
escape  from  the  dilemma.  Henry  was  long  tantaliz- 
ed with  hope  that  the  Pontiff  would  accede  to  his 
wishes  :  but  having  at  length  obtained  an  almost 
unanimous  decision,  that  the  marriage  was  unlawful, 
and  the  Pope  having  forbidden  him  from  marrying 
Anne,  he  defied  the  papal  excommunication,  banished 
the  Pontifical  legate,  rejected  the  Pope's  communion, 
as  head  of  the  church,  and  by  elevating  Cranmer  to 
the  Archbishoprick  of  Canterbury,  encouraged  in 
many  respects  the  reformation.  In  1529,  the  usur- 
pations of  the  clergy  having  excited  very  strong 
complaints,  the  House  of  Commons  attempted  to 
restrain  the  impositions  of  the  ecclesiastical  orders  ; 
their  dissolute  lives  and  insatiable  avarice  strength- 
ening the  murmurs  against  them.  The  power  of 
Wolsey,  as  Pope's  legate  was  nullified,  and  thus  all 


&6 


ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORV.  LLC  1 1  IlL  Xllt. 


the  clergy  \vho  obeyed  him .  became  at  once  guilty, 
and  were  ohhged  to  purchase  pardon  at  a  vast 
Sacrifice  of  tiieir  weahfi.  Many  Festivals  were  im- 
mediately abolished;  images,  relics  and  pilgrimages 
were  destroyed  ;  abbies  and  monasteries  were  deso- 
lated ;  the  orders  of  Friars,  Monks  and  Nuns  were 
suppressed  ;  and  the  Bible  was  translated  and  par- 
tially dispersed.  But  the  progress  of  the  Relbrmation, 
in  England  was  very  small  during  Henry's  reign  ;  for 
he  enacted  by  law  the  most  contradictory  tenets, 
so  that  Papists  and  Protestants  were  consumed  in 
the  same  fire  ;  the  former  for  denying  Henry's  supre- 
macy o\  cr  the  church  ;  and  the  latter  for  not  believ- 
ing transubstantiation.  The  grand  object  attained 
at  this  period  was,  the  cessation  of  the  Pope'a 
authority;  and  although  in  the  doctrines,  little  alte- 
ration was  perceptible,  yet  in  the  forms  of  worship 
an  obvious  diflerence  existed;  much  of  the  exterior 
idolatry  v/as  removed;  and  the  most  strenuous  par- 
tizans  of  the  hierarchy,  the  Monks  and  Nuns,  being 
divested  of  their  revenues  and  habitations,  lost  that 
influence  among  the  ignorant  multitudes,  by  which 
the  Romish  superstition  and  corruption  had  been 
sustained 

By  the  death  of  Henry,  his  son  Edward  was  ex- 
alted to  the  English  throne,  w  ho  became  the  bright- 
est ornament,  and  the  most  effectual  support  of  the 
Protestant  cause.  He  encouraged  literature  ;  main- 
tained Cranmer,  Ridley,  Hooper,  I.itimer  and  their 
brethren  in  their  exertions;  opposed  with  all  mild- 
ness, but  energy,  his  power  to  the  ancient  supersti- 
tions; dispersed  the  scriptures,  and  established  a 
regular  missionary  system  through  the  island.  After 
a  reign  of  six  years  he  died,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Mary,  a  furious  merciless  bigoted  fanatic ;  who  re- 
stored as  far  as  practicable,  the  whole  papal  corrup- 
tion ;  and  whose  whole  reign  during  five  years  wa6 
an  incessant  exhibition  of  every  infernal  quality. 
Her  persecutions  ceased  with  her  death  ;  and  Eliza- 
beth her  sister:,  overturned  the  fabric,  and  reinstated 


CENTURY   XVI.  257 

the  ecclesiastical  polity  as  it  was  when  Edward  de- 
parted to  glorj. 

The  progress  of  the  truth  in  Ireland  was  similar  to 
that  of  England,  and  attended  by  the  same  revolu- 
tions and  vicissitudes.  Archbishop  Brown,  after 
Henry's  rejection  of  the  Pope,  exerted  himself  with 
indescribable  diligence  and  vigour  to  eradicate  the 
idolatrous  superstitions.  He  overthrew  the  images, 
burnt  the  relics,  abrogated  the  absurd  ceremonies, 
and  procured  a  general  denial  of  the  Pope\s  jurisdic- 
tion in  that  island. 

The  revenues  of  the  monks  were  confiscated, 
thejr  convents  destroyed  and  themselves  banished. 
In  this  situation  the  protestant  affairs  continued  in 
prosperity  until  the  death  of  Edward  ;  after  which 
Mary  had  resolved  to  extirpate  the  Reformed  in  Ire- 
land, but  her  death  delivered  the  professors  of  the 
truth  from  utter  desolation  :  although  fourrfifths  at 
least  of  the  Irish  have  continued  from  that  period 
to  be  justly  numbered  among  ihe  most  silly  and  san- 
guinary of  ail  the  devotees  of  the  Beast  which  goeth 
into  perdition. 

In  Scotland,  the  effects  of  the  light  ditTused  by  the 
Reformers  were  long  imperceptible;  notwithstanding, 
about  ten  years  after  Luther's  first  public  opposition, 
the  number,  zeal  and  talents  of  the  Protestants  had 
become  bo  formidable  to  the  papal  hierarchy,  that  a 
considerable  persecution,  accompanied  with  inqui- 
sitorial powers  commenced  :  but  the  national  discord 
and  confusion  were  favourable  to  the  progress  of  the 
Gospel.  The  first  Legislative  act  against  the  papacy, 
permitted  the  people  to  read  the  scriptures  in  the 
vulgar  language,  yet  this  law  was  soon  counteracted 
by  the  ascendency  of  Beaton,  the  Romish  Cardinal, 
Regal  and  hierarchal  tyranny  having  excited  univer- 
sal dissatisfaction,  the  Protestants  increased  their 
exertions  and  courage.  xA-t  this  period,  arose  the  im- 
mortal Knox,  whose  labours  never  ceased  until  he 
was  banished.  Notwithstanding  every  obstruction, 
the  protestant  cause  proceeded,  until  1557,  when  the 
2   I 


258  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIISTORV.  LECTURE  XIII. 

first  covenant  was  signed  by  vast  multitudes  of  per- 
sons, with  some  of  the  most  distinguished  dignitaries 
of  tlie  kingdom  at  their   head  ;  the  feudal   system 
which  then  existed  in  Scotland  powerfully  augmenting 
their  unity  and  force.     By  this  compact  all   the  idol- 
atry of  the  Antichristian  system  was  denied,  and  the 
influence  and  wealth,  and  mortal  existence   of  the 
covenanters  were  pledged  in  support  of  the  word  of 
God.     They  were  denominated  the  Congregatio7i  of 
Christ',  to  distinguish  them  from  the  Papists,   whom 
they  very  opprobriously  but  \ery  scripturally    de- 
nounced as  the  Congregation  of  Satan.     In  this  situa- 
tion, neither  party  daring  to  commence  the  warlike 
attack,  the  contest  remained  until  the  death  of  Wal- 
ter Mill,    the  last  sufferer  by  martyrdom,  through 
the  papacy  in  Scotland.     Indescribable  horror  seized 
all  the  Reformers  when  they  heard  of  his  execution, 
and  the  contrast  between  the  barbarity  of  the  Papist 
Archbishop,  and  the  Christian  meekness  of  the  tortu- 
red disciple  of  Jesus.    From  the  period  of  his  death, 
the  Reformation  extended  its  flight  with   the  utmost 
velocity  to  all  quarters  of  the  land  ;  irresistible  was  its 
force  and  universal  its  progress.    The  Reformation  in 
Scotland  tinally  involved  a  national   contest  which 
through   the  divine  benediction,  was  closed   in  the 
shouts  of  triumph  by  Knox  and  his  victor  companions. 
In  no  portion  of  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast  was  the  pre- 
domi!iance  of  popery  so  completely  overthrown  as  in 
Scotland;  every   particle  of  the  whole  abomination 
which  could  be  discovered,  from  the  Virgin  and  the 
crucifix  exalted  in  a  cathedral,  to  a  forged   decretal 
immured  in  a  Monk's  cloister  ;  from  a  Cardinal's  pom- 
pous benediction  before  the  Court,  to  a  Friar's  blas- 
phemous absolution  in  his  own  cell,  were,  with  equal 
evangelical  avidity  sought,  and  with  similar  christian 
indignation  obliterated.  To  verify  the  ellicacy  of  their 
labours  at  that  period,  history  records  that  Scotland 
has  ever  been  pre-eminent  among  the  Europeans, 
and  a  counterpart  to  the  primitive  Puritans  of  New- 
England,  from,  that  era  to  the  present  generation. 


CEi\TURY    XVI.  259 

Tor  all  that  illumination,  fortitude,  purity,  and  philan- 
^Jiropj  which  their  solemn  leagues  and  covenants,  in 
the  name  of  the  Gospel,  so  eloquently  demand. 

The  Reformation,  notwithstanding  the  activity  of 
its  authors  and  the  zealous  energy  of  its  adherents 
was  admitted  into  a  very  minor  proportion  only  of  the 
ten  horns  of  the  Beast.  In  France  it  was  afterwards 
almost  totally  extirpated — in  Poland,  its  influence  was 
always  very  feeble — in  Ireland,  its  blessings  have 
been  perpetuated  solely  by  the  overwhelming  autho- 
rity of  incessant  military  coercion — while  in  the  larg- 
f?r  portion  of  Europe,  Turkey,  Paissia,  Spain  and  Por- 
tugal, the  German  imperial  territories  and  Italy,  the 
entrance  of  evangelical  truth  has  hitherto  been 
successfully  obstructed.  A  review  of  the  combined 
powers  of  darkness  which  at  that  period  were  oppo- 
sed to  the  extension  of  the  pure  doctrines  of  the 
Gospel,  will  constitute  the  subject  of  the  ensuing 
lecture. 


The  opposition  to  the  Protestants  and  tie  Iteformution, 


A  robcllion  against  satanlc  authority,  so  suddon, 
Fo  forceful,  and  so  extended,  as  that  produced  by 
the  varied  parlizans  of  the  Reformation,  could  not 
be  admitted,  witfiout  an  attempt  to  subjugate  those 
-vvho  thus  rejected  the  Beast  and  his  mark  on  their 
foreheads.  Power  is  seductive,  and  it  is  a  lamer)t;ib]e 
proof  of  hu  nan  degeneracy,  that  very  few  individuals 
recorded  in  the  annals  of  nations, have  been  found  tru* 
ly  qualified  to  direct  its  energies.  The  Reformation 
"vvas  a  luminous  (lood,  at  once  traversing  the  darkness 
of  the  European  hemispljere:  for  it  shed  the  light  and 
the  truth,  with  the  rapidity  of  the  tempests  liash,  and 
with  the  warmth  and  the  permanency  of  a  Midsum- 
mer's clear  and  brilliant  day.  Hell  and  its  minions 
stood  awhile  itidilferent ;  at  lirst  they  were  stupid, 
next  vacillating,  then  blustering,  and  finally  having 
recovered  their  malignity,  they  resolved  to  crush  the 
seed  olthe  woman  who  was  destined  to  bruize  the 
serpent's  head.  The  providence  of  God  is  lucidly 
developed  in  tlie  various  means  by  which  the  church 
of  Christ,  thf  ark  of  refuge,  has  been  preserved  amid 
the  storms  and  commotions  of  the  troubled  ocean  of 
mortality. 

Nothing  in  the  record  of  individuals  can  be  more 
interesting  than  a  review  of  the  lives  and  transactiorjs 
of  the  Refor!n(U'S.  Luther,  Calvin,  Zuingle,  Knox, 
Craruuer.  Prown,  and  tlieir  numberless  adjutants  in 
the  holy  war,  could  always  say  with  propriety,  '^  there 
is  but  a  step  betwixt  me  and  death;"  and  notwith- 
standing their  enrthly  existence  was  protracted  un- 
til after  nearly  300  years,  we  are  enabled  to  say,  they 
died  pre(usely  at  that  moment,  and  each  of  them  m 
that  manner,  which  sealed  the  rectitude  of  their 
cause,  and  constituted  the  anticipation  of  its  eventual 


CENTURY    XVI.  'ZD* 

triumph.  Our  limits  admit  not  even  the  most  minute 
reference  to  those  christian  worthies  ;  but  evangcli- 
cai  sensibiHties  recur  to  them  in  the  fondest  retros- 
pect, and  indulge  the  hallowed  prelibation  of  min- 
gling the  communion  of  heaven  with  the  gospel  giants 
of  those  days.  1 

Our  inquiry  at  jiresent,  involves  the  contest  be- 
tween the  sons  of  God  and  the  slaves  of  Diabolus,  or 
rather,  the  various  artifices  by  which  the  latter  at- 
tempted to  counteract  the  energetic  assaults  of  the 
Reformers  upon  the  strong  holds  of"  the  Man  of  Sin." 
The  machinations  of  the  grand  adversary  of  good, 
against  the  progress  of  the  truth  by  the  Reformation, 
may  be  generally  classified  either  as  carnal  or  spir- 
itual ;  combining  the  policy  of  this  world  with  th.e 
exterior  of  evangelical  religion. 
/.  External. 

Resistance  to  the  truth  was  thus  exhibited  in  vari- 
ous forms,  and  the  servants  of  Jesus  contended  with 
the  Romish  hierarchy,  always  without  secure  de- 
pendence on  terrestrial  co-operation,  ever  with  the 
certainty  that  Babylon  would  repel. 

1.  War. — The  royal  power  was  excited  against  the 
friends  of '^  the  rights  of  man" — many  years  elapsed, 
during  which  a  contest,  general,  bloody,  and  malig- 
nant, raged  in  Germany;  the  sole  cause,  an  attempt 
to  destroy  Luther  and  his  disciples.  In  Holland  and 
the  Netherlands,  a  civil  warfare  was  protracted  un- 
til the  battering  ram  of  truth,  shivered  the  odious 
Spanish  Philip's  sway  over  the  Dutch,  into  atoms. 
Scotland  was  desolated  with  one  almost  ceaseless 
commotion  during  nearly  20  years  ;  the  partizans  of 
the  Beast  stedfastly  graspiiig  and  defending  their 
usurped  jurisdiction.  The  tower  of  London  still 
contains  one  of  the  most  mournfully  splendid  tro- 
phies of  the  Reformation  ;  the  vast  exhibition  of  the 
instruments  of  torture  intended  for  the  torment  of  the 
English  Protestants,  if  they  would  not  submit  to  the 

I.  Appendix  XI. 


262  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTL'IIE    XIY. 

Papal  supremacy,  provided  the  infernal  Armada  had 
been  victorious  in  their  attempt. 

Vast  changes  succeeded  the  destruction  of  the 
Romish  assaults.  Scotland  shouted  victory,  and  she 
IS  Protestant — England  sang  the  song  of  triumph,  and 
she  is  a  chief  glory  among  the  nations  of  the  earth — 
Holland  defeated  the  Romish  janizaries,  and  she  is 
reformed  ;  while  northern  Germany  having  discard- 
ed the  trammels  of  the  Dragon  and  his  princely  as- 
sociates, has  remained  a  mighty  mound  over  which 
the  waves  of  superstition  have  ineffectually  endeav- 
oured to  roll. 

2.  Persecution. — At  the  commencement  of  the  Ref 
ormation,  the  spirit  of  Abaddon  appeared.  For  a 
Protestant,  the  sentence  of  death  was  instantaneously 
promulged  ;  and  if  tangible,  his  tortures  followed. 
All  the  wars  of  Europe  in  which  so  many  myriads 
perished,  were  waged  merely  against  the  Gospel,  as 
proclaimed  by  the  Reformers.  In  Bohemia,  during 
thirty  years,  among  the  Hussites,  all  the  fury  of  earth 
and  all  the  malevolence  of  hell  were  unchained;  the 
human  blood  which  was  there  effused,  comprized 
such  a  wondrous  destruction  of  the  human  family  and 
such  a  vile  terrestrial  extinctionofChristians,  that  one 
of  the  historians  of  that  period  assimilates  the  blood 
of  the  martyred  Bohemian  witnesses,  "  to  the  plenty 
of  waters  of  the  great  rivers  of  Germany."  In  Hun- 
gary, Lithuania  and  Poland,  the  elFusions  of  the 
Christian  vital  fluid  were  not  less  copious;  so  that  a 
large  part  of  Europe  was  "deluged  with  Protestant 
blood.""  Thus  that  religion  which  had  so  long  irradi- 
ated the  countries  in  which  the  Waldenses  had  resi- 
ded, was  almost  suppressed,  and  the  witnesses  were 
plain.  It  had  been  predicted  by  Daniel,  ch.  7  :  20, 21 ; 
and  by  John,  in  the  Apocalypse,  Revelation  13:  7; 
and  the  cause  of  Christ  in  those  nations  has  never 
since  recovered  its  influence.  The  murders  perpe- 
trated by  the  Spanish  governors  and  deputies  in  the 
Netherlands  were  so  atrocius  and  repulsive,  that 
neither  superstition  of  the  most  idolatrous  cast,  nor 


CENTURY  XVI.  263 

dcgrcdatioii  ol'lhe  most  servile  meanness,  could  lon- 
ger submit  to  a  tyranny  bestial  in  morals,  and  infernal 
in  mischief.  Alva,  the  Don  of  butchery,  himself 
boasted  that  during  the  five  years  of  his  government, 
eighteen  thousand  persons  had  been  formally,  that  is 
by  slow  paced  legal  condemnation,  burnt  for  heresy 
— but  these  were/e?t?,  contrasted  with  the  multitude?, 
who  were  slaughtered  by  his  armed  myrmidons,  ruf- 
fians by  trade^  and  cruel  from  impiety^  dispersed  through 
all  the  borders  of  the  land.  But  the  design  failed  j 
for  the  Prince  of  Orange,  v/ith  Egmond  Horn,  both  of 
whom  were  murdered,  raised  the  standard  of  resist- 
ance to  the  despots,  and  after  an  unequal  warfare,  in 
which,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  the  Protestants 
triumphed,  the  Dutch  destroyed  the  prevalence,  and 
constructed  a  barrier  to  the  return  of  Popery  which 
has  hitherto  been  found  effectual ;  for  the  Synod  of 
Dort  stand  pre-eminent  among  the  defenders  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ. 

France  largely  participated  in  the  horrors  of  per- 
secution. Within  the  first  30  years,  after  the  treaty 
of  peace,  by  which  the  Protestants  were  secured  in 
Germany,  nearly  the  whole  generation  of  Huguenots 
was  martyred  in  the  Gallic  dominions. 

These  Christians  on  the  south  of  the  water, 
were  the  exact  counterpart  of  the  Puritans  on  the 
northern  island.  They  were  men  who  loved,  enjoy- 
ed and  practised  the  truth,  in  reference  to  eternity. 
No  painter  can  depict  the  torment,  no  poet  deliniate 
the  agony,  and  no  Preacher  describe  the  complicated 
scenes  accompanying  the  departure  of  these,  "  of 
whom  tlie  world  was  not  worthy." 

A  million,  at  least,  of  these  Calvinistical  Huguenots, 
including  members  of  the  Royal  Family  and  persons 
of  all  grades  in  the  kingdom,  during  the  pilgrimage 
of  one  race,  were  consigned  by  Papal  cruelty  to  the 
invisible  world.  The  cause  finally  triumphed  in  the 
access  of  Henry  to  the  throne;  but  he  became  a  Ro- 
mish adherent ;  and  yet,  because  he  was  a  tolerator 
of  his  Protestant  friends,  he  died  by  the  dagger  of  a 


2(j4 


ECCLESlASTiCAL    HISTORV.  LKCTURE    XU' 


Rultlan,  who  had  been  previously  absolved  from  sin 
for  tlie  perpetration  of  his  crime.  Throiiii;hout  tlie 
astoiiibhing  occurrences  of  modern  ages,  few  events 
are  more  interesting  than  the  seige  of  Rochelle  and 
the  Bartholomew  massacre,  In  the  city  of  Rochelle, 
the  protestants  concentered,  and  against  tlieir  cou- 
rage, and  their  devotion,  in  vain  did  Popery  rage 
and  contend  ;  the  Huguenots  resisted  and  triumphed, 
after  a  display  of  fortitude  altogether  romantic,  and 
a  series  of  suffering  which,  for  the  sake  of  humanity, 
it  could  be  wished  were  merely  a  fabulous  tale. — 
But  the  Papists,  although  vanquished,  were  resolved, 
if  possible,  to  govern;  and  obt;iii  ed  by  deception, 
that  whicli  could  jiot  be  seized  by  force.  H;;ving 
seduced  the  chiefs  of  the  Huguejiots  into  a  belief 
that  they  were  disposed  to  be  amicable,  the  Pop.""s 
devotees  contrived  tj^e  general  and  simultaneous 
extinction  of  all  the  enemies  of  the  papacy. 

It  was  enjoined  by  Charles  IX.  then  king  of 
France,  that  on  the  twenty  fourth  day  of  August, 
1572,  a  Lord's  day,  when  the  lells  rang  for  morning 
prayer,  an  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  all  the  Pro- 
testants should  commence  ;  the  Popish  military  sud- 
denly rushed  into  the  streets  of  Paris,  and  murdered 
every  person  who  was  suspected  to  be  a  Huguenot ; 
the  king  himself  from  the  windows  of  his  palace 
encouraging  his  armed  bloodhounds,  and  with  his 
own  musket,  for  amusement,  shooting  the  w  retched 
and  defenceless  Christians  who  ;  tiempted  to  escape 
from  this  lawless  violence.  Day  after  day  these  ra- 
vages continued,  and  were  extended  through  all 
France,  until  the  Savages  themselves  were  satiated 
with  thestroamsof  human  blood.  Two  circumstan- 
ces strongly  develope  the  peculiar  excitement  pro- 
duced by  this  wondrous  persecution.  At  Rome,  and 
generally  among  the  Papists,  a  special  day  ofthanks- 
givingwas  observed  for  the  destruction,  it  was  hoped, 
of  the  Protestant  cause  in  France.  In  England  and 
Scotland  the  horror  excited  by  this  merciless  despot- 
ism was  unbounded.     Elizabeth  the  Queen  with  all 


CENTURY   XVI-  265 

her  public  officers  and  domestic  attendants  was  ro- 
bed in  the  deepest  mourninp;;  and  when  the  French 
Ambassador  attended  to  otfer  an  apology  for  this 
unprovoked  and  lawless  murder  oi  Elizabeth's  friends, 
the  palace  exhibited  the  utmost  display  of  gloom  ; 
blackness  and  silence  accompanying  him,  until  the 
haughty  and  justly  offended  Queen  uttered  the  men- 
ace which  frightenetl  the  Papist  tyrant,  and  express- 
ed her  abhorrence  in  a  style  of  dignified  sensibility 
that  overwhelmed  the  Ambassador  with  shame  and 
confusion.  Some  of  the  Scotch  preachers  made  it 
the  subject  of  pulpit  discussion,  and  so  intlamed  the 
hearts  of  the  people  with  hatred  to  the  papacy,  that 
this  event  tended  in  a  high  degree,  by  the  insupera- 
ble aversions  which  it  excited,  to  establish  the  Refor- 
mation ;  Mhile  the  tenor  of  the  declarations  which 
were  uttered  by  the  Scottish  Reformers  with  respect 
to  Charles,  the  author  of  the  massacre,  almost  invol- 
ved the  spirit  and  force  of  prophecy ;  especially  in  the 
exactitude  with  which  the  denunciations  pronounced 
against  this  "  most  Christian  King,  and  eldest  son  of 
the  Church,"  were  subsequently  fulfilled. 

In  the  present  British  dominions  also,  the  rage  of 
Rome  was  directed  against  all  the  witnesses  who  con- 
fronted the  Beast's  supremacy.  Henry  VIII.  was  not 
strictly  a  religious  persecutor;  his  cruelties  were  ex- 
ercised upon  the  principle,  that  his  authority  alone 
was  paramount;  and  however  absurd  his  exactions, 
that  every  person  should  be  forced  to  obey  them. 
But  this  partial  exculpation  of  that  haughty  Despot 
cannot  be  applied  to  Mary  ,his  Daughter ;  she  was  lit- 
terally  an  insatiable  leech  for  the  blood  of  the  ser- 
vants of  Jesus.  Before  her  incorrigible  bigotry,  all  that 
is  lovely  and  dignified  was  prostrated.  Infancy  and 
old  age  ;  persons  of  the  most  exalted  rank  and  the 
meanest  son  of  wretchedness ;  of  the  most  pitiable  ig- 
sjorance  and  the  most  enlarged  illumination,  and  of 
both  sexes,  M'ere  grasped  as  tares,  and  in  bundle9 
hurnt. 

Within  the  catalogue  of  modern  martyrdom,  noth- 
2  K 


266  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  l.ECTUUE    XIV. 

ing  can  be  discovered  more  impressive  than  the  last 
earthly  days  of  the  primitive  Anglo-Puritans.  The 
defences  of  the  truth  which  were  offered  by  Bradford, 
Hooper,  Taylor,  Philpot,  Piidley,  Latimer  and  Cran- 
mer,  rank  very  high  among  the  noblest  ellbrts  of  chris- 
tian genius  ;  in  fact  the  very  meanest  of  those  who 
were  doomed  to  sufTc'r  in  the  papal  furnace  of  fire, 
upontheirexaminations,  triumphantly  and  with  the  ut- 
mostsimplicity,  confuted  all  the  learning  of  their  dom- 
ineering adversaries  and  tormentors.  During  Mary's 
reign,  some  very  peculiar  instances  of  the  judgments 
of  God  upon  the  persecutors  of  his  people  occurred, 
which  tbrm  a  very  stupendous  contrast,  when  review- 
ed in  connection  with  the  imprisonment  and  deaths 
of  the  heroes  of  the  gospel.  Many  of  the  dungeons  in 
which  the  saints  were  literally  intombed  alive,  were 
like  the  jail  at  Philippi,  the  house  of  God  and  the  gate 
of  heaven;  while  the  palaces  of  their  infuriated  judg- 
es were  the  abodes  of  the  furies  :  very  few  indeed  of 
the  prime  instigators  and  executioners  of  the  sentence 
ofwo  upon  the  Redeemer's  disciples, escaped  a  death 
marked  by  the  signal  inlliction  of  the  divine  vengeance 
and  exact  retribution.  2. 

In  Scotland,  an  attempt  was  made  to  introduce  the 
Inquisition,  or  a  court  invested  with  similar  power  ; 
but  Hamilton  the  President  having  been  executed  for 
high  treason,  that  tribunal  of  mischief  was  extirpated. 
Subsequently  however,  the  Papists  having  recovered 
their  energy,  and  the  Man  of  Sin  having  despatched 
an  inllammatory  Bull  and  commission  against  the  Pro- 
testants, "great numbers  suffered  in  the  flames."  But 
the  seed  of  truth  which  had  been  sown  was  incorrupt- 
ible, being  the  pure  word  of  God,  which  liveth  and  a- 
bidetli  forever;  and  it  speedily  burst  forth  in  all  the 
force  and  luxuriance  of  an  evergreen,  hardy,  verdant 
and  healthful ;  and  having  been  watered  by  the  dews 
of  heaven,  it  expanded  its  foliage  and  brought  forth 
fruit  a  hundred  fold  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  redeem- 
ing grace.     The  Scotch  Protestants  felt  as  if  every 

2.  Appendix XII. 


CENTURY    XVJ. 


267 


family  had  been  bereft  of  an  inmate,  when  George  Wis- 
hart  was  precipitately  consumed  in  the  fire  ;  and  the 
martyrdom  of  Waiter  Mill  inspired  a  resolute  deter- 
mination which  eventually  demolished  the  papal  au- 
thority in  Scotland.  3. 

The  situation  of  Europe,  and  the  activity  with 
which  Mary  engaged  in  the  destruction  of  the  English 
Protestants,  so  engrossed  her  attention,  that  she  had 
notleisure,  for  a  long  period,  to  inquire  into  the  state 
of  popery  in  Ireland.  But  as  Brown,  the  archbishop  of 
Dublin,  persevered  in  denying  the  Papal  supremacy, 
and  in  exterminating  the  whole  mass  of  mummery 
within  his  diocese,  Avhich  he  had  commenced  during 
the  reign  of  Henry,  and  continued  with  augmented  vi- 
gor while  Edward  lived  ;  it  was  finally  resolved  to- 
w^ards  the  latter  end  of  Mary's  bloody  career,  that  a 
species  of  the  inquisition  armed  with  all  possible  au- 
thority should  be  erected  in  Dublin ;  and  for  this  pur- 
pose, a  furious  hell-hound,  named  Cole,  received  am- 
ple powers.  Few  events  recorded  in  ecclesiastical 
history,  more  lucidly  develope  the  impotence  of  man, 
and  the  perpetual  interposition  of  God  on  behalf  of 
his  church  in  their  last  extremity, than  the  subversion 
of  this  odious  project.  The  Irish  Protestants  had  been 
doomed  by  Mary  and  her  privy  Council  to  total  ex- 
tinction, and  wrath  to  the  uttermost  was  prevented 
from  being  effused  on  them  in  consequence  only  of  a 
very  singular  display  of  divine  Providence.  Cole, 
■•'flushed  with  the  expectation  of  success  in  this_^7on- 
ous  enterprise,  travelling  to  the  sea-coast  to  embark 
for  Dublin,  stopped  for  a  short  time  at  Chester.  Du- 
ring his  stay,  the  mayor  of  that  city,  not  less  furious 
than  Cole  for  the  papal  dogmas,  visited  him,  and  the 
Commissioner  appointed  to  inquire  into  all  kinds  of 
heresies  and  schisms,  exulted  in  the  most  7iobIe  and 
pious  commission  with  which  he  was  invested,  and 
displaying  a  leather  case,  here,  said  he,  "is  a  com- 
mission which  shall  lash  the  heretics  of  Ireland."  This 
declaration  being  made  in  the  hearing  of  the  v/oijiap 

?..  Appendix  XIU. 


268  ECCLESIASTICAL  inlSTOKY.  LECTUKE   XlV- 

who  conducted  the  business  of  llie  inn,  fmin  a  nun.ber 
of  motives,  for  she  was  deeply  interested  in  the  \iVo- 
testant  cause,  she  resolved  to  seize  an  opportunty  if 
possible  todcfeat  Cole's  mission  and  object.  After  the 
interview  with  the  mayor  had  closed,  Cole  respeeiiu:- 
ly  accompanied  him  to  the  door;  the  mistress  of  the 
house  secreted  the  odious  commission  of  evil,  and  in 
its  stead  inclosed  a  pack  of  cards.  The  would-be  In- 
quisitor, without  examination,  returned  his  packnge  to 
the  trunk,  and  on  the  next  morning  sailed  for  Ireland. 
His  arrival  and  object  were  immediately  announced 
to  the  Lord  Lieutenant;  upon  which  he  was  invited 
to  a  meeting  of  the  council.  With  all  official  pomp, 
he  appeared  in  the  chamber  of  audience,  and  deliv- 
ered his  credentials  to  the  secretary.  The  pjuicr 
was  opened,  when  to  the  utter  astonishment  of  the  sec- 
retary, he  saw^only  a  pack  of  common  playing  cards, 
with  the  knave  of  clubs  grinning  at  him.  Cole  was 
chagrined  to  the  lowest  depth  of  contemptible  humil- 
iation, but  having  recovered  from  his  surprise,  lie  a- 
verred  that  he  had  received  from  the  queen  a  genuijie 
commission,  but  how  it  had  bren  exchanged,  it  was 
altogether  impossible  for  him  to  ascertain.  "  Yo« 
must  return  tor  another  commission,"  said  the  Lord 
Lieutenant,  and  with  facetious  sarcasm  added,  "we 
will  shuffle  the  cards  in  the  interim."'  Prior  to  his  ob- 
taining the  second  commission,  Mary  was  summoned 
to  give  an  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the  body,  at 
the  bar  of  God,  and  Cole  has  remained  from  that  day 
to  the  present,  an  object  of  ridicule  and  detestation.'' 
Upon  what  trilling  contingencies,  according  to  our 
estimation,  often  depend  the  peace  of  nations  and 
individual  prosperity,  this  fact  most  lucidly  and  feel- 
ingly illustrates ;  and  wo  are  impelled  to  admire  the 
wonder-working  arm  of  Jehovah  Jesus,  the  great 
head  of  the  church,  who  thus  supremely  controuls  the 
mischievous  devices  of  men,  and  so  directs,  that  all 
their  most  sagacious  conspiracies  to  perpeprate  evil 
become  nugatory,  and  their  wisest  plans  to  dissem- 
inate misery  and  iniquity  are  rendered  abortiv^e. 


,  GE.NTURY   x*r.  26.9 

//.  Internal. 

It  would  be  altogether  impossible  to  condense  in- 
to any  comprehensible  form,  a  narrative  of  all  the 
secret  combinatiors  by  which  the  destruction  of  the 
Protestant  Chiefs  was  attempted.  One  instance  may 
suffice  ;  for  they  are  so  similar  in  their  nature  and 
operation,  and  mark  so  brilliantly  the  goodness  of 
God  to  his  church,  that  every  emotion  of  gratitude 
must  necessarily  be  excited.  The  reference  is  to 
Luther.  From  the  publication  of  the  sentence,  by 
w^hich  the  Diet  at  Worms  pronounced  him  a  vaga- 
bond whom  any  person  might  with  impunity  murder^ 
his  life  during  nearly  30  years,  was  the  continual  oh- 
ject  of  secret  and  open  assault.  Every  method  ^\  liich 
hellish  ingenuity  could  devise  was  adopted  to  murder 
him  :  poison  and  assassination  in  every  multiform  dis- 
guise ;  artifice  and  force  in  every  species  of  marshal- 
led array ;  previous  pay,  large  promises,  and  perfect 
absolution  for  the  crime,  all  were  embodied  against 
him ;  but  impotent  were  their  efforts  and  useless  their 
"machinations ;  for  Martin  died  at  Isleben,  the  place 
of  his  nativity,  in  his  own  bed,  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith.  This  is  not  a  solitary  instance  of  a  superin- 
tending Providence  in  connection  with  the  life  of  the 
servants  of  Jesus.  The  memoirs  of  Zuinglius,  Calvin, 
Knox,  Cranmer,  Brown,  and  their  illustrious  com- 
peers, abound  with  similar  attestations  to  the  cease- 
less malignity  anisecret  hostile  attempts  upon  the 
mortal  existence  of  the  luminaries  of  the  Reforma- 
tion. 

It  was  proper  to  hint  at  these  private  minor  at- 
tempts to  obstruct  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  but  two 
schemes  were  devised  and  successfully  adopted, 
which  under  any  other  circumstances,  and  prior  to 
the  invention  of  printing,  without  a  miraculous  inter- 
vention of  God,  must  have  totally  demolished  the 
Reformation. 

1.  The  Council  of  Trent. — To  quiet  the  clamours 
of  the  Protestants,  to  impede  the  progress  of  illumina- 
tion, and  to  silence  the  murmurs  of  the  discontented 


270  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XIV. 

among  the  Papists,  it  was  determined  to  convoke 
a  general  council  of  the  church  ;  but  as  it  was  sum- 
moned bj  the  Pope,  regulated  by  his  legate,  nnd  en- 
tirely at  his  controul,  the  Protestants  relbsed  to  ac- 
knowledge its  authority  and  purity.  At  intervals, 
during  twenty  five  years,  this  council  remained  in 
nominal  session  ;  the  pretext,  to  devise  measures  for 
the  restoration  of  the  church  to  its  pristine  apostolic 
character  ;  the  design,  to  defend  the  Papacy  against 
the  Protestants,  and  to  exterminate  the  glorious  Re- 
formation. The  external  or  the  interior  history  of 
this  famous  Council  must  not  be  detailed  ;  for  every 
species  of  abomination  originating  in  the  corruption 
of  man  or  Satanic  temptation,  this  horde  of  ferocious 
voluptuaries  stand  pre-eminent. 

This  council,  as  we  have  already  understood,  is 
now  the  grand  and  infallible  authority  among  the 
modern  Papists  ;  and  how  highly  it  deserves  this  un- 
limited jurisdiction  over  the  consciencesof  men,  may 
be  understood  from  its  acts  and  decretals. 

The  council  of  Trent  assembled  under  the  auspi- 
ces, and  was  sanctioned  by  the  authority,  of  Charles 
V.  the  Emperor  ;  and  having  triumphed  over  the 
Protestant  Princes,  nothing  less  than  the  complete 
overthrow  of  the  Reformation  in  Germany  was  anti- 
cipated. "  But  there  is  neither  council  nor  might 
against  the  Lord  ;  his  purpose  must  stand,  and  he 
will  do  all  his  pleasure  :"  the /}/a^?(e  entered  the  city, 
and  the  Papists  dreading  this  enemy,  tied  ;  and  the 
council  was  virtually  dissolved.  After  a  long  inter- 
val, the  council  was  re-assembled  ;  and  its  decisions 
have  solemnly  sanctioned  the  most  offensive  and  de- 
testable qualities  of  the  Papacy.  The  more  ostensi- 
ble points  of  debate  between  the  Protestants  and  the 
Papists,  and  concerning  which  the  former  expressed 
their  abhorrence,  have  been  ratified  as  infallible 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel;  the  corruptions  of  faith,  and 
the  ambiguity  of  the  rules  concerning  practice,  were 
enlarged  and  multiplied  ;  the  utmost  scorn  and  vitu- 
peration were  expressed  against  the  Reformers  and 


CENTURY  XVI.  271 

their  doctrines ;  the  latter  were  pronounced  accurs- 
ed ;  and  they  who  believed  them  were  excommuni- 
cated and  anathematized  with  "  bell,  book  and  can- 
dle." Among  the  topics  particularly,  which  the  coun- 
cil of  Trent  have  deliberately  confirmed,  and  in  the 
most  deceptive  form,  are  the  doctrines  of  purgatory, 
the  invocation  of  saints,  and  the  worship  of  images. 
One  other  point  they  have  with  more  candour  pro- 
mulgated, that  the  scriptures  alone  are  not  a  suffi- 
cient rule  of  faith  and  practice;  and  hence,  the  pres- 
ent Pope  has  lately  issued  his  bulls  against  all  those 
who  tacitly  admit  his  supremacy,  whose  names  are 
recorded  in  the  catalogues  of  the  Bible  Societies  ; 
and  has  quoted  the  decision  of  the  council  of  Trent, 
to  sanction  his  enmity  against  those  who  disperse 
the  word  of  God.  But  we  may  rejoice  ;  his  philip- 
pics are  three  centuries  too  late  to  be  effectual ;  the 
gospel  of  Christ  must  "  have  free  course,  and  will  run 
and  be  glorified." 

No  doubt  can  be  momentarily  admitted,  that  this 
infamous  council  constituted  a  very  efficient  portion 
of  that  rampart  which  Popery  erected  against  the 
assaults  of  the  original  Reformers,  and  that  it  is  still 
the  strong  hold  of"  the  Man  of  Sin." 

2.  The  Jesuits. — Ecclesiastical  dominion  has  always 
been  supported  by  the  vafious  orders  which  it  has 
engendered  ;  and  the  monastic  clans  were  ever  the 
buttress  of  the  Papacy.  From  their  primary  abuse 
to  this  period,  they  have  invariably  constituted  the 
efficient  means  by  which  the  Pope  maintains  his  sway 
and  influence.  By  them,  the  devotees  of  superstition 
are  trained  and  preserved  in  order.  The  defection 
of  so  many  of  the  different  classes  of  Friars  and  Nuns, 
through  the  operation  of  the  truth  proclaimed  by  the 
Reformers,  with  the  obloquy  which  was  attached  to 
those  sons  of  corruption,  urged  another  attempt  to 
organize  an  efficient  force  to  guard  the  Vatican  from 
demolition.  To  heal  the  wounds  and  to  restore  en- 
ergy to  the  dilapidated  hierarchy,  was  an  object  of 
indispensable  necessity  and  of  most  urgent  import- 


272  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIISTORV.  LECTURE    XlV. 

ancc.  A  Spanish  soldier,  Ignatius  de  Loyola,  equally 
illiterate  and  fanatical  ;  but  bold,  ingenious  and  nct- 
ive,  became  the  tool  of  some  of  the  Papal  adherents 
at  Rome,  and  appeared  as  the  author  and  head  of  a 
new  society,  called  after  the  usual  name  of  tfie  Sav- 
iour of  mankind,  the  order  of  Jesus,  or  Jesuits. 

The  progress  of  this  fraternity  presents  a  subject 
of  real  astonishment;  within  a  few  years,  they  were 
agents  of  darkness  throughout  the  greater  portion  of 
the  globe;  and  as  their  principles  were  adapted  to 
all  people  and  all  circumstances,  they  speedily  en- 
grossed a  sway  in  the  affiiirs  of  mankind  almost  incred- 
ible. They  professed  but  one  object,  to  maintnin 
and  extend  the  papal  authority — they  made  one  vow, 
*'  to  go  without  deliberation  or  delay,  wherever  the 
Pope  shall  think  fit  to  send  them" — and  they  all  act- 
ed upon  one  system,  to  accommodate  themselves  to 
the  passions,  prejudices  and  habits  of  those  whom 
they  wished  to  proselyte.  As  a  natural  consequence 
of  these  combined  motives  to  action,  their  system  in- 
volved every  possible  abomination.  It  would  be  im- 
proper to  delineate  the  doctrines  upon  which  they 
acted — every  thing  with  a  Jesuit  was  metamorphosed 
upon  the  broad  basis  of  expediency.  Vice  and  vir- 
tue, truth  and  error,  religion  and  idolatry,  good  and 
evil,  lost  their  distinctive  qualities  when  broughtwith- 
in  the  operation  of  a  Jesuit's  legerdemain.  By  a  cease- 
less activity,  these  servants  of  Satan  interrupted  the 
progress  of  the  Reformation,  and  in  every  subsequent 
age  have  been  the  most  inveterate  enemies  of  godli- 
ness, and  the  most  restless  enemies  of  mankind.  Their 
impudence  and  vice  finally  produced  their  nominal 
extirpation,  but  they  only  passed  into  a  new  form,  as 
almost  all  the  Papists  of  ecclesiastical  rank  now  in  ex- 
istence arc  either  secretly  Jesuits,  or  avowedly  the 
brethren  of  St.  Sulpicius,  which  name  they  assumed  to 
conceal  their  outrageous  enormities.  The  temper  and 
spirit  of  these  Jesuits  might  be  easily  known  from  the 
dispositions  of  the  Popes  by  whom  they  werefostei'ed. 
Clement  VH.  was  a  man  of  such  perfidious  principles. 


CENTURY    XVI.  273 

that  no  person  professed  to  confide  in  him  ;  a  wretch- 
ed Judas,  who  laughed  at  all  idea  of  honour,  or  prob- 
ity or  fidelity.  Paul  III.  was  a  monster  familiar  with 
crimes  which  the  house  of  prayer  must  not  even  hear; 
but  we  may  understand  something  of  his  character 
from  the  fact,  that  he  nominated  two  of  his  illicit 
children,  cardinals  of  the  church,  when  infants.  Ju- 
lius III.  immediately  after  his  elevation  to  the  Pope- 
dom, transformed  an  infamous  boy  who  fed  his  mon- 
keys, into  a  cardinal ;  and  liaving  been  reproved  by 
the  other  members  of  that  college,  for  introducing  a 
creature  among  them  without  learning,  merit,  or  vir- 
tue, he  impudently  inquired,  "  what  virtue  or  merit 
they  had  found  in  him,  that  could  induce  them  to 
place  him,  Julius,  in  the  papal  chair  .'"' 

The  character  and  spirit  and  actions  and  destiny 
of  the  Jesuits  were  delineated  with  almost  prophetic 
perspicacity,  by  the  Irish  Reformer,  Brown,  a  few 
years  only  after  their  pristine  appearance.  "  There 
*»s  a  new  fraternity  of  late  sprung  up,  who  shall  call 
themselves  Jesuits,  who  will  deceive  many,  after  the 
manner  of  the  scribes  and  pharisees.  Among  the 
Jews  they  shall  strive  to  abolish  the  truth,  and  shall 
come  very  near  to  do  it.  For  they  will  turn  them- 
selves into  several  forms;  with  the  heathens  a  hea- 
then, with  the  atheist  an  atheist,  with  the  Jews  a  Jew, 
with  the  Reformers  a  Reformer,  purposely  to  know 
your  intentions,  your  minds,  your  hearts,  and  your 
inclinations,  and  thereby  bring  you  at  last  to  be  like 
the  fool  who  said  in  his  heart  there  is  no  God.  These 
shall  spread  over  the  whole  world,  shall  be  admitted 
into  the  councils  of  princes,  and  they  never  the 
wiser  ;  charmingof  them,  yea,  making  princes  reveal 
their  hearts  and  the  secrets  therein,  and  yet  they  not 
perceive  it ;  which  will  happen  from  falling  from  the 
law  of  God,  by  neglect  of  fulfdling  the  law  of  God, 
and  by  winking  at  their  sins :  yet  in  the  end,  God.  to. 
justify  his  law,  shall  suddenly  cut  off  this  society, 
even  by  the  hands  of  those  who  have  most  succour- 
ed them,  and  .made  use  of  them  ;  .so  that,  at  the  end, 
•  2  L 


274  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XIV. 

they  shall  become  odious  to  all  nations  :  they  shall 
be  worse  than  Jews,  having  no  resting  place  upon 
earth,  and  then  shall  a  Jew  have  more  favour  than  a 
Jesuit."  This  is  an  accurate  portrait,  and  the  anti- 
cipation has  been  realized  ;  but  it  is  not  irrelevant 
to  observe,  that  one  of  the  grand  demonstrations  of 
the  unchangeable  and  genuine  spirit  of  Popery  is 
discoverable  in  the  ttict,  that  after  tlie  Jesuitical  or- 
der was  authoritatively  demolished,  half  a  century 
since,  in  consequence  of  abominations  which  even 
Romish  corruption  could  not  calmly  tolerate,  Pope 
Pius,  the  present  usurper  of  divine  prerogatives,  has 
again  embodied  tliis  band  of  deceivers,  for  the 
avowed  purpose  of  sustaining  the  almost  prostrated 
Hierarchy,  and  the  debilitated  "  Man  of  Sin." 

These  constituted  the  machinations  by  which  the 
reform  of  the  Church  was  primarily  counteracted. 
Heresies  of  various  kinds  were  also  invented  or  re- 
newed and  extensively  promulged  ;  and  as  they  pro- 
ceeded from  the  additional  freedom  imparted  to  the 
human  mind  by  the  destruction  of  the  adamantine 
chains  with  which  the  human  energies  had  so  long 
been  fettered,  they  were  imputed  to  the  Reformation, 
and  furnished  a  ceaseless  subject  for  Popish  stigma 
and  reproach.  This  will  be  illustrated  as  we  pro- 
gressively review  the  various  denominations  into 
which  modern  christians  have  been  divided. 

The  Reformation  is  an  epocli  too  remarkable  and 
interesting  to  be  slightly  noticed.  Combining  a  most 
stupendous  moral  concussion,  it  excites  inquiries  res- 
pecting the  eflects  of  so  vast  a  resolution  in  mundane 
affairs.  As  the  ostensible  source  of  all  the  improve- 
ments in  individual  character  and  in  national  man- 
ners, so  obvious  when  contrasted  with  the  ferocity 
of  the  ages  anterior  to  the  sixteenth  century,  "  the 
shaking  of  the  nations"  produced  by  the  blast  of  the 
third  angel's  trumpet,  the  glorious  events  connected 
with  the  history  of  the  Reformers,  have  received  much 
less  consideration,  and  excited  much  less  affection, 
than  from  their  intrinsic  importance  they  indubitably 
deserve. 


CENTURY  XVI. 


4275 


If  it  be  asked,  what  blessings  have  followed  the 
Reformation  ?  the  reply  is  immediate — they  may  be 
classified  in  three  general  applications. 

1.  As  individuals,  the  tribes  of  mankind  have  been 
benefited  by  that  splendid  event.  The  degradation 
and  barbarism  which  are  portrayed  in  the  annals  of 
the  middle  ages,  are  in  a  great  measure  excluded  from 
those  countries  where  the  benignity  of  the  christian 
religion  has  effused  its  delights.  Gross  darkness 
covered  the  people  ;  they  verily  sat  in  darkness,  and 
groped  in  "  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death;"  noth- 
ing could  possibly  be  more  inhuman  in  principle,  fe- 
rocious in  sensibility,  and  depraved  in  conduct,  than 
the  multitudes  who  were  directed  by  a  Papal  man- 
date, and  menaced  with  a  Friars  excommunication. 
Before  this  tremendous  jurisdiction,  every  energy, 
both  corporeal  and  mental,  vanished  into  thin  air, 
equally  vapid  and  feeble  ;  and  man  became  a  mere 
tool,  to  perpetrate  atrocities  too  monstrous  to  be  de- 
tailed, and  to  promulge  absurdities  too  contemptible 
even  for  ridicule.  Of  his  right?  and  duties,  he  was 
profoundly  ignorant  ;  all  genuine  concern  for  his 
destiny  was  absorbed  in  the  sentence  of  pardon  pro- 
claimed by  his  Father  Confessor  ;  and  as  there  was 
no  restraint  upon  crime  through  fear,  iniquity  rolled 
throughout  the  nations  in  an  unintermitted  over- 
whelming flood.  By  the  Reformation,  an  impetus 
was  given  to  all  tlie  moral  machinery  of  the  world  ; 
the  immunities  with  which  God  has  inalienably  in- 
vested the  rational  creatures  whom  he  has  formed, 
then  were  developed  in  all  their  freshness  and  value ; 
and  the  nations  which  before  had  submitted  to  have 
the  remuneration  of  their  labours  unnecessarily  filch- 
ed from  them,  by  the  exactions  of  their  spiritual 
task-masters,  now  began  to  learn  and  to  experience 
the  superior  advantages  of  active  life,  untrammelled 
by  a  Jesuit's  craft,  and  not  snl)ject  to  ceaseless  rob- 
bery by  the  myrmidons  of  the  Inquisition.  But  it  is 
not  solely  in  the  ranks,  as  a  member  of  civil  society, 
that  the  blessings  of  the  Reformation  arc  developed, 


276  liCCLESIAS'liCAL  HliTOliV.  LECILKL  X'.V. 

it  is  also  in  the  spiritual  improvement  of  men-  Who 
can  arrest  tlie  alternations  of  the  tide  ?  Who  can 
change  the  order  of  tlie  celestial  orbs  in  their  inces- 
sant revolutions  ?  If  this  surpass  the  utmost  stretch 
of  mortal  capacity,  how  much  less  impotent  is  he, 
\vho  would  now  strive  to  impede  the  march  of  the 
christian  kingdom,  to  universal  extent,  and  imperish- 
able intluence  ?  Freedom  has  engendered  activity, 
this  has  fostered  improvement,  and  in  religion  and 
morals  it  has  furnished  the  most  splendid  evidence 
of  its  sway  and  success. 

By  the  accelerating  progress  of  divine  truth,  men 
have  become  more  intimately  acquainted  with  Jeho- 
vah, and  with  his  requisitions  upon  the  human  fa'mi- 
ly.  The  distinctions  between  good  and  evil  have 
become  more  obvious ;  idolatry  has  bowed  before  the 
spirituality  of  ••  pure  and  undefded  religion,"  like 
"Dagon  fallen  upon  his  face  to  the  ground,  before  the 
ark  of  the  Lord" — ])ractical  irreligion  in  all  its  diver- 
sified forms,  as  sanctified  by  priestly  absolution  and 
papal  indulgence,  has  in  a  great  measure  subsided — 
and  the  grand  doctrine,  that  man  is  a  responsible 
creature  at  the  bar  of  God,  has  been  luminously  ex- 
hibited in  all  its  application  and  force.  "  The  na- 
tions   which  sat  in  darkness   have  seen  the  great 

'is'"-" 

2.   Men  in  their  associated    nationjl    capacities 

have  been  wondrously  benefited  by  the  Reformation. 
This  is  evident  to  all  who  understand  the  history  of 
the  Roman  empire  prior  to  the  discovery  of  the  ty- 
pographic art.  Grandeur  in  the  feudal  ages  among 
the  Nobles  who  composed  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast, 
ordinarily  combined  a  gorgeous  exhibition  of  un- 
veiled vice  with  t!ie  iron  armour  of  devotees,  always 
ready  to  plunge  into  any  w  arfare  which  a  papal  bull 
had  previously  consecrated. 

Our  rapid  sketch  cannot  even  enumerate  the  vari- 
ous ad^^antages  which  have  attended  the  resuscita- 
tion of  the  Gospel  from  the  sepulchre  in  which  the 
Dragon  and  his  worshippers  had  entombed  it :  but 
two  general  effects  may  be  recorded. 


CENTURY    XVI.  *27 .' 

The  principles  of  government  among  the  nation- 
have  been  extensively  reformed.  Centuries  ehipscd 
and  the  same  abominable  niogma  remained  as  infalli 
ble,  that  the  members  of  the  human  family  should  b( 
transferred  with  the  soil.  As  one  example  will  elu 
cidate  the  operation  of  the  whole,  it  is  needless  to 
multiply  instances.  William  the  Norman,  claimed  a 
right  to  the  kingdom  of  England  ;  his  demand  was 
denied  and  resisted ;  he  transported  an  army  from 
France  to  England,  and  having  been  permitted  by 
God  to  murder  the  staff  of  the  nation,  he  forcibly 
ruled  over  the  people  whom  he  had  thus  enslaved. 
One  of  the  conditions  stipulated  between  him. and 
his  principal  marauders,  was,  that  the  whole  land, 
with  all  its  inhabitants,  should  be  subdivided  into 
districts,  according  to  the  proportionate  aid  wliich 
each  brought  to  complete  this  general  devastation. 
Accordingly,  the  land  and  its  appendages  were  al- 
lotted to  each  Chieftain  according  to  compact,  and 
all  the  residents  upon  the  soil  were  also  doomed  as 
slaves  to  toil  for  their  invaders.  Human  cattle  were 
thus  degraded,  bought,  sold  and  exchanged,  scourg- 
ed, starved  and  murdered, during  several  generations, 
with  nearly  the  same  impunity  with  which  a  modern 
Nabob  of  Virginia  or  Carolina  or  Georgia  exchanges 
or  raffles  for  his  Negros,  or  sells  his  own  children  by 
the  pound  at  the  flesh  market,  or  with  his  hickory 
staff  gradually  demolishes  mortal  existence.  These 
practices  were  then  universally  authorized,  but  that 
period  in  Europe  has  passed  away  ;  the  glorious  ef- 
fulgence of  the  sacred  oracles  has  diffused  a  lustre 
with  regard  to  personal  privileges,  which  it  may  be 
confidently  presumed  can  never  more  be  obscured. 

Although  some  remains  of  the  feudal  system  still 
exist,  it  is  demonstrable,  that  its  total  destruction  is 
not  far  distant ;  and  that  to  the  Reformation,  we  are 
chiefly  if  not  altogether  indebted  for  the  triumph  of 
liberty  over  the  Gothic  despotism  of  the  dark  ages. 

The  other  social  advantage  that  has  resulted 
from  the  renovation  of  Europe,  which  commenced  in 


"78  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XIV. 

the  sixteenth  century,  is  discernible  in  the  increased 
industry  of  the  inhabitants,  and  the  consequent  mul- 
tiplication of  their  comforts.  Ignorance  of  the  arts 
and  sciences,  and  of  all  mechanical  pliilosophy,  was 
universal  and  apparently  incurable  ;  for  all  the  reign- 
ing customs  and  principles  of  society  were  prejudi- 
cial to  the  melioration  and  enjoyment  of  the  people. 
"  Could  any  greater  restraint  be  laid  upon  industry, 
or  any  obstacle  more  insurmountable  be  opposed  to 
it,  than  the  idle  monastic  life,  by  which  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  most  potent  and  vigorous  inhabitants 
were  withdrawn  from  the  activity  of  useful  labour  ; 
Avho  also  consumed  in  the  utmost  prodigality  the 
proceeds  of  the  others'  employment  ?  Wherever 
the  Reformation  has  been  adopted,  the  superfluous 
festivals,  costly  pilgrimages,  an,d  all  those  institutions 
which  encouraged  indolence,  have  been  abolished  ; 
the  activity  of  the  inhabitants  has  been  indefinitely 
increased  ;  the  impoverishment  of  the  nation  by  the 
imputation  of  indulgences  from  Rome  ceased,  and 
prosperity  has  attended  every  species  of  business." 
Thus,  even  in  our  secular  national  relations,  the 
change  effected  by  the  instrumentality  of  the  primi- 
tive Reformers,  involves  all  that  is  dignifying  to  in- 
dividuals, prosperous  to  the  community,  and  bene- 
ficial to  the  world. 

3.  But  it  is  within  the  boundaries  of  the  church  of 
Christ,  that  the  nobler  and  more  sublime  privileges 
of  the  Reformation  have  been  developed  and  en- 
joyed. At  the  commencement  of  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury, "  the  temporal  authorities  possessed  but  a  small 
degree  of  power  in  their  respective  dominions  :  the 
highest  potentates  were  subject  to  the  mandates  of 
the  clergy,  their  own  inferiors.  In  general,  the  ec- 
clesiastics displayed  no  obedience  to  the  civil  au- 
thorities ;  apd  if  the  princes  complied  not  with  their 
insolent  demands,  and  did  not  profusely  enrich  them 
with  magnificence  and  wealth,  every  attempt  was 
made  to  excite  rebellion.  Religion  always  furnished 
them  with  a  pretext  for  disobedience  to  the  govern- 


CENTURY   XVI.  279 

ment,  and  for  their  impositions  upon  the  people.  Ex- 
empt from  taxes,  and  payments  towards  the  necessi- 
ties of  (he  state,  they  engrossed,  almost  in  every  coun- 
try, more  than  one  half  of  the  national  revenues;  and 
for  a  King  to  oppose  the  hierarchy  thus  apparently 
impregnable,  was  assuming  the  danger  of  banishment 
from  his  territories,  and  personal  martyrdom,  besides 
the  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  all  those  who  adhered 
to  him.  But  the  clergy  not  only  domineered  over 
governments,  they  also  much  more  odiously  usurped 
jurisdiction  over  the  community.  Their  commands 
were  irresistible;  and  through  auricular  confession, 
the  secrets  of  all  hearts  were  exposed  to  their  inves- 
tigation. Examination,  or  research,  or  personal  in- 
quiry was  not  even  supposed  to  be  admissible  ;  and  a 
word  or  a  doubt  respecting  either  of  their  absurd  or 
corrupt  dogmas,  invariably  insured  speedy  death,  un- 
less favour  could  be  obtained  by  a  large  pecuniary 
bribe.  Under  this  galling  yoke,  in  this  most  humili- 
ating vassalage  of  body  and  soul,  the  Europeans  du- 
ring several  centuries  had  hopelessly  groaned  until 
at  length  they  became  insensible  to  their  own  degra- 
dation. But  finally  the  merciful  Providence  of  the  om- 
nipotent Jehovah  raised  up  the  instruments  to  exter- 
minate these  impious  abominations,  and  to  overthrow 
this  horrible  tyranny." 

The  ecclesiastical  changes  which  have  flowed  from 
the  execrations  of  the  Reformers,  three  centuries 
ago,  comprise  a  large  circle  of  advantage  to  the  hu- 
man family  in  general,  but  peculiarly  so,  to  the  in- 
habitants who  resided  in  the  domains  of  "  the  son  of 
perdition."  Devotion  in  its  external  forms  has  been 
inconceivably  purified ;  the  mummery  of  the  Romish 
ritual,  and  the  pageantry  which  absorbed  every  spir- 
itual feeling  have  disappeared,  that  the  more  simple 
worship  of  the  heart  might  be  introduced  ;  and  this 
is  obviously  the  grand  source  whence  proceed  all  the 
refinements  of  religious  character  which  so  luminously 
distinguish  the  present  from  the  former  ages.  How- 
ever imperfect  may  be  our  attainments  when  accu- 


28Q  KCCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XlV. 

rately  compared  with  the  extensive  requisitions  of  the 
di^  ine  law,  and  the  impressive  exemplary  standard 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  yet,  from  the  commencement 
of  that  period,  when  crucifixes,  statues,  pictures,  ima- 
ges, cloisters,  abbeys,  convents  and  idolatrous  pro- 
cessions were  coimtermanded  and  destroyed,  until 
this  day,  notwithstanding  all  opposition,  a  constant 
progress  to  that  perfection  of  ''  fellowship  with  the 
Father  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,"  which  shall 
so  exquisitely  adorn  the  latter-day  glory  has  been  de- 
monstrated. Of  this  general  spirit,  no  illustration  is 
more  lucid  and  lovely,  than  the  modern  attempts  to 
disseminate  the  knowledge  of  evangelical  truth,  ''from 
sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  river  even  to  the  ends  of  the 
earth." 

The  influence  of  popery  and  of  its  head  has  obvi- 
ously declined.  Altho'  in  numbers,  probably  tlie  pres- 
ent Pope  can  form  a  catalogue  of  nominal  adherents 
^  as  large  as  his  Predecessor  could  have  framed  during 
the  fifteenth  century,  it  must  be  remembered,  that 
the  irresistible  power  over  the  people,  which  the  for- 
mer pretended  Vicegerents  of  God  indubitably  pos- 
sessed, has  almost  entirely  disappeared.  Neither 
Governors  nor  the  people  regard,  obey,  or  enforce  a 
papal  bull;  the  injunctions  are  despised,  the  mena- 
ces are  ridiculed,  and  the  vision  of  Bunyan's  dream 
is  literally  fulfilled ;  the  Pope  sits  at  the  entrance  of 
his  gloomy  and  cruel  den,  grirming  at  the  Pilgrims, 
as  they  pass;  he  can  only  rail,  for  he  is  now  too  im- 
potent to  seize  and  destroy.  What  a  vast  superiority 
does  this  fact  alone  impart  to  modern  ages  !  What  a 
subject  of  triumph  does  this  involve,  that  folly  is  not 
credited,  and  duty  neglected  through  the  dread  of  a 
papal  curse  !  Printing  has  laid  "  the  axe  to  the  root 
of  the  trees;"  and  ere  long  "the  ten  horns  of  the 
beast,  shall  hate  the  Mother  of  abominations  of  the 
earth,  and  shall  make  her  desolate  and  naked,  and 
shall  eat  her  flesh,  and  burn  her  with  fire." 

Nothing  could  possibly  be  more  utterly  at  variance 
with  common  sense  as  well  as  with  religion,  than  the  , 


CENTURY  XV L  281 

positions,  that  every  person  who  does  not  believe  as 
the  Pope  prescribes,  shall  be  anathema,  and  then 
burnt,  the  earthly  symbol  of  the  transfer  to  the  ever* 
lasting  tire,  prepared  for  the  devil  arid  his  angels  ; 
and  that,  Avith  heretics  thus  condemned,  all  faith^ 
every  promise,  and  all  covenants  may  be  inlringed/ 
These  doctrines,  we  know,  are  still  beHeved  as  in- 
fallible by  those  who  submit  to  the  decisions  of  the 
council  of  Trent ;  and  while  the  Dragon's  Beast 
possessed  all  his  great  power  and  authority,  it  is  not 
astonishing,  that  the  tiend  of  persecution  exercised 
his  sway  without  controul.  Modern  papists  acknow- 
ledge, but  they  cannot  practice  their  creed.  Not- 
withstanding that  a  vast  variety  of  irreligious  intol- 
erance has  been  exercised  in  different  countries 
since  the  establishment  of  the  Reformation,  yet  the 
diminution  of  that  evil  has  been  gradual ;  and  it  is  be- 
lieved, that  an  extensive  desolation  systematically 
organized,  now  to  extirpate  by  force  the  Protestant 
cause,  if  it  could  be  commenced,  which  is  dubious, 
could  not  be  protracted  longer  than  would  be  requir- 
ed to  transmit  the  mournful  intelligence  to  the  other 
nations.  Torture  and  death  for  the  sake  of  a  good 
conscience,  in  this  age  have  become  so  abhorrent, 
that  it  is  hoped  the  nations  have  buried  this  out- 
rageous fury,  the  offspring  of  Babylon,  in  the  tomb 
of  annihilation  ;  and  although  eventually  it  may  be 
resuscitated  for  a  short  period  according  to  the  pre- 
diction. Revelation  1 1  :  7 — 11 ;  nevertheless,  its  pres- 
ent paralyzed  condition  justifies  unfeigned  rapture; 
and  urges  with  overwhelrrting  force,  ceaseless  and 
devout  thanksgiving  to  Jehovah,  for  the  inestimable 
immunities  which  we  have  derived  instrumentally 
from  the  Fathers  of  the  reformed  church. 

All  the  other  privileges  which  have  accrued  to  us 
in  consequence  of  the  contest  in  which  our  ancestors 
in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  Gospel  engaged  and 
conquered,  are  rendered  incalculably  more  valuable 
by  the  avenues  which  it  opened  for  the  establish- 
ment and  increase  of  literature.  In  this  view,  we 
2M 


1^82  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  Xr\'. 

are  taught  to  admire  the  mystery  of  divine  Provi- 
dence, which  combines  events  that,  in  their  primary 
occurrence,  appear  to  us  to  have  no  connection,  and 
yet  in  subse([uent  periods  unfold  that  they  were  in- 
dissolubly  cemented.  Of  what  utility  to  mankind 
comparatively  would  have  been  all  the  literary  treas- 
ures brought  by  the  Greeks  into  the  Roman  boui.da- 
ries,  after  the  capture  of  Constantinople,  had  not  th6 
types  so  rapidly  and  so  extensively  diffused  their 
partial  illumination  ?  and  in  an  ecclesiastical  refer- 
ence, even  the  discovery  of  printing  would  have 
been  of  inferior  importai.ce  to  the  church  and  the 
world,  without  the  rejection  of  the  papal  supremacy. 
The  elc  juence  of  Demosthenes  and  TuUy,  the  songs 
of  Homer  and  Virgil,  the  histories  of  Herodotus  and 
Xenophon,  and  Sallust  and  Caesar,  the  criticisms  of 
Quinctillian  and  Longinus,  even  the  morals  of  Socra- 
tes, and  Plato,  and  Cicero,  and  Seneca, and  Antoninus 
"would  have  been  promulged  among  mankind  in  vain  ; 
in  a  fleeting  admiration  of  the  genius  of  the  dead, 
would  have  evaporated  all  the  benefits  which  Greece 
or  Rome  could  have  elicited.  Revealed  truth  nlone 
could  remove  the  darkness  of  the  moral  world,  dis- 
sipate the  mists  of  idolatry,  and  the  logs  of  supersti- 
tion ;  and  they  wisely  judged,  that  the  grand  object 
was  to  consecrate  typography  to  the  multiplication 
of  the  Bible  in  the  vernacular  language  :  and  it  must 
rot  be  forgotten,  that  this  resolution  involved  the 
most  daring  rebellion  against  the  Pope''s  authority, 
and  the  most  presumptuous  defiance  of  all  his  intim- 
idating menaces.  The  more  enlightened  and  artful 
dignified  supporters  of  the  antichristian  system  were 
perfectly  convinced,  thru  the  occlusion  of  the  sacred 
oracles  was  indispensable  to  the  permanency  of  their 
tremendous  jurisdiction.  Every  species  of  torment 
and  death  \va9  denounced  against  the  owner  and 
reader  of  the  word  of  God,  except  certain  individu- 
als, who  were  permitted  to  garble  it  for  the  nefarious 
purposes  of  sanctioning  error  ;  so  that  the  volume  of 
inspiraiion  was  altogether  unknown  ;  and  the  publi- 


CENTURY   XVI.  {283 

cation  of  it  in  Hebrew,  Greek  and  Latin,  would  have 
aided  the  holy  cause  of  pure  religion  in  a  verj  small 
degree.  God  hiinself  doubtless  imbued  the  original 
translators  of  the  scriptures  with  the  hallowed  de- 
sire to  impart  the  blessings  of  revel  iti on  to  all  the 
nations  in  their  own  tongues;  and  this  has  been  in 
every  age  the  most  effectual  mode  by  which  Anti- 
christ has  been  enfeebled.  But  it  is  irrefragable, 
that  as  the  advantages  of  printing  would  have  been 
exceedingly  circumscribed  without  the  secession 
from  the  papacy,  so  the  progression  of  truth  must 
have  been  slow  and  confined  had  the  propagation 
of  books  been  limited  to  manuscripts. 

The  vast  increase  of  learning  has   been  of  inde- 
scribable use  to  the  church  in  othec  respects  :  con- 
troversies   upon    almost    every    topic    successively 
arose  ;  and  wherever  the  Protestants  had  been  ena- 
bled to  grasp  the  key  of  the  closets  that  contained 
the  writings  which  had  been  incarcerated  in  the  si- 
lence of  the  monasteries,  they  dislodged  them  from 
their  dark  and  dreary  abodes  ;  and  thus  embodied 
scripture,  reason  and  antiquity  against  the  claims  of 
Rome  ;  while  the  excitement  produced  by  this  in- 
cessant collision  rendered  it  necessary  for  the  prom- 
inent warriors  in  the  literary  conflict,  to  arm  them- 
selves with  all  the  panoply  which  the  store-house 
of  learning  could  furnish.     Hence,  has  succeded  the 
multiplication  of  Colleges,  with  all  the  minor  institu- 
tions by  which  the  reign  of  dullness  has  been  so  suc- 
cessfully combated,  and  the  supremacy  of  the  Ro- 
man Pontiff  so  effectually  and  generally  disregard- 
ed.    But  as  a  reference  to  modern  times  is  anticipa- 
tion of  our  farther  review,  this  enumeration  of  the 
vast  enjoyments  social  and  moral,  which  originated 
in  the  erection  of  the  standard  of  the  Redeemer's 
cross,  as  the  rallying  point  to  "  all  them  who  love  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity,"  must  be  closed. 

This  retrospect  enforces  one  important  admoni- 
tion ;  improve  your  advantages.  Remember  the  toil, 
the   privations,   the   anxieties,   the  opposition,   the 


284  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XIV, 

dangers,  and  the  deaths  with  ^vhich  the  Reformers 
whom  we  have  commemorated  were  constantly  en- 
veloped ;  and  demonstrate  your  exalted  sense  of  their 
philanthropy  to  man,  and  devotedness  to  God,  by 
emulating  their  virtues,  and  by  evincing  your  high 
estimate  of  their  labours,  in  an  active  and  sedulous 
discharge  of  all  the  duties  to  which  your  superiority 
of  condition  as  men,  as  citizens,  and  as  christians 
with  unmitigable  urgency  calls  you  !  Thereby  will 
you  prove  your  title  to  be  numbered  in  the  cata- 
logue of  those  august  worthies,  and  exhibit  that  grat- 
itude to  God  which  you  should  ever  noiirish,  M-hen 
you  contemplate  the  value  of  that  truth  which  "  hath 
brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the 
gospel." 

So  let  our  lips  and  lives  express 
The  holy  gospel  we  profess., 
So  let  our  ivorJcs  and  virtues  shine^ 
To  prove  the  doctrine  all  divine. 

Thus  shall  we  best  proclaim  abroad^ 
The  honours  of  our  Saviour  God, 
While  the  salvation  reigns  within, 
And  grace  subdues  the  power  of  sin. 

Religion  bears  our  spirits  up. 
While  we  expect  that  blessed  hope, 
The  bright  appearance  of  the  Lord, 
And  faith  stands  leaning  on  his  word: 


The  GrecJc  and  Roman  hierarchies — the  Lutherans^  and 
the  established  church  of  England,  during  the  sixteenth, 
seventeenth  and  eighteenth  centuries. 


& 


As  the  civil  world,  equally  with  the  kingdom  of 
the  Redeemer,  has  assumed  a  totally  different  aspect, 
since  the  sixteenth  century  ;  so  it  is  necessary  to 
conduct  our  revi-^w,  if  Ave  would  accurately  compre- 
hend the  subject,  in  a  totally  different  form,  and  to 
distinguish  the  modern  church,  not  by  periods  of 
time,  but  by  associations  of  christians.  These  gene- 
ral divisions  will  consequently  comprize — the  ancient 
hierarchies,  Greek  and  Roman — the  primary  secessions 
from  the  popedom,  the  Lutheran,  the  Episcopal,  and  the 
Presbyterian — the  anglo-Puritafis  and  their  descendants — 
the  most  interesting  aiid  important  theological  co7itroversies 
— the  minor  denominations — the  American  churches — the 
modern  union  of  christians  to  promulge  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
— and  the  anticipations  of  faith,  in  reference  to  the 
scriptural  prophecies  which  are  not  yet  consum- 
mated. 

It  would  be  preferable  to  enumerate  the  major 
part  of  the  different  sects,  as  severed  by  doctrine, 
discipline  and  ceremonies  ;  but  as  it  is  impossible  to 
reduce  the  conflicting  materials  into  masses  upon 
these  general  topics,  we  shall  endeavour  to  illustrate 
the  characteristics  of  the  modern  believers,  in  their 
sectarian  origin,  distinctions  and  progress. 

We  have  already  witnessed  the  partial  triumph, 
and  the  legal  establishment  of  the  Protestant  cause 
in  Germany,  the  North  of  Europe  and  the  British 
dorai:)io..s — therefore  from  that  period  our  investiga- 
tions must  commence. 


286  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XV. 

/.  The  Greek  Church. 
In  modern  ages,  this  large  body  of  nominal  Chris- 
tians may  be  described  in  two  divisions;  those  who 
acknowledge  the  patriarchal"  authority  of  tlie  Bishop 
of  Constantinople;  and  those  who  dissenting  equally 
from  the  Greek  and  Roman  Pontiifs,  are  directed  in 
their  religious  doctrines  and  institutions  solely  by 
their  own  ecclesiastical  officers,  independent  of  ex- 
terior jurisdiction.     Of  these  various  devotees  of  su- 
perstition, nothing  of  any  interest  has  been  recorded 
since  their  subjection  to  the  Turks.     They  are  con- 
fined in  the  most  servile  vassalage  to  their  priests—^ 
the  patriarchs  of  Constantinople,  Antioch,  Alexan- 
dria and  Jerusalem  exercise   unlimited  sway  in  all 
those  regions  to  which  their  jurisdiction  extends; 
and  those  dignified  offices  being  entirely  at  the  con- 
trol of  the  Grand  Seignior,    it   often    follows,  that 
they  are  filled,  not  by  the  friends  of  religion,  but  by 
him  who  can  present   the  largest  bribe  for  the  ap- 
pointment.   Two  circumstances  alone,  in  the  modern 
history  of  the  Greeks  demand  notice  ;    the  attempts 
which  were  made  to   unite  them  with  the   Papacy, 
and  the  overtures  which  were  presented  by  Melanc- 
thon  to  the  Constantinopolitan  Patriarch  for  an  utnon 
with  the  Protestants.     Insuperable  dificulties  howe- 
ver instantaneously  appeared ;  the  difference  in  reli- 
gious sentiment  was  utterly  irreconcilable ;  tlie  ex- 
ternal forms  and  the  absurd  idolatrous  ceremonies 
of  each  hierarchy  were  so  dissimilar,  that  it  was  im- 
practicable to  amalgamate  them ;  and  the  invincible 
obstinacy  of  both  the  parties  to  their  antiquated  cus- 
toms and  traditions,   proclaimed  that  every  expecta- 
tion of  harmony  was  delusive.     The  ignorance  and 
the  stupid  infatuated  prejudices   of  the  Greeks,  in 
favour  of  the  system  bequeathed  to  them  by  their 
ancestors,  also  formed  an  insurmountable  barrier  to 
consociation  with  the  Protestants;  in  consequence 
of  which,   their  degradation,  bigotry,  and  darkness 
continue  almost  without  diminution.    Of  all  the  chiefs 
of  the  Greek  church,  one  only  deserves  a  distinct 


CENTURY  XVi.  287 

itiernorial  in  this  summary  ;  Cjrillus  Lucar  "patriarch 
ot'Contantinople,  who  was  murdered  by  order  of  the 
grand  Turk  in  the  year  1638;  and  as  it  is  generally  un- 
derstood, in  consequence  of  his  protestant  predilec- 
tions. Urban  VIII.  then  Pope,  undertook  the  arduous 
labour  to  eradicate  the  deep-rooted  antipathy  which 
the  Greeks  had  so  long  indulged  against  the  Papists. 
The  ingenuity  of  Jesuitism  was  never  more  keenly 
tested,  and  the  duplicity  of  its  protessors  was  never 
more  plainly  but  artfully  developed,  than  in  the  final 
endeavour  to  incorporate  the  Greeks  wilh  the  Roman 
anti-christian  hierarchy.  To  conciliate  the  Eastern 
friends  of  Christianity,  the  Jesuits  declared,  that  no 
alteration  in  their  Eastern  doctrine  or  ceremonial 
observances  was  proposed,  because  these  were  of 
little  importance ;  and  they  only  wished  to  demons- 
trate to  the  Greeks,  that  the  Constantinopolitan 
opinions  and  worship  in  all  essential  points  were  as« 
similated  to  the  creed  and  ritual  of  the  Romans. 

By  this  manoeuvre,  the  Jesuits  proposed  to  convince 
the  Eastern  adherents  of  the  gospel,  that  they  had 
been  always  actually,  though  not  in  profession,  one 
with  the  Papists;  and  that  their  only  solicitude  was 
to  uiitbld  the  truth  in  its  certain  meaning,  not  to  urge 
upon  them  the  denial  of  that  religion  which  they  had 
received  from  their  predecessors. 

This  scheme  was  maintained  by  a  numerous  host 
of  the  Jesuits  ;  all  of  whom,  in  their  innumerable  vol- 
umes, without  cessation  proclaimed,  that  the  Greeks, 
Russians,  Nestorians,  Armenians,  and  every  other  mi- 
nor denomination,  of  the  Eastern  descendants  from 
the  primitive  ages  of  Messiah's  Kingdom,  differed 
from  the  Pontifical  order,  only  in  a  few  unmeaning 
ceremonies,  and  in  a  small  number  of  unimportant 
metaphysical  terms,  by  which  their  phraseology  was 
distinguished. 

The  abomination  of  this  disingenuous  and  corrupt 
device,  was  clearly  discerned  by  Cyrillus,  who,  from 
personal  acquaintance  with  the  Protestant  churches 
and  the  Romish  hierarchy,  was  perfectly  competent 


U38  rXCLESlASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XIV. 

lo  decide  upon  the  propriety  of  their  respective 
claims  to  unity  with  the  Greeks.  Without  hesitation 
ftiidfear,  he  boldly  avowed  his  aversion  from  tlie  pa- 
j)al system  both  in  doctrine  and  devotion:  decidedly 
asserted  liis  attachment  to  the  Reformed  or  Calvinis- 
tic  opinions  and  discipline  ;  and  proposed  (o  banish 
lVon»  [lis  own  church,  as  far  as  possible,  all  articles  of 
faith  and  all  ceremonies  in  worship  which  were  in- 
compatible with  the  purity  and  simplicity  of  the  Gos- 
pel of  Christ.  Rome  beheld  with  astonishment  and 
7iialig'.iity  tliis  daring  assault  upon  her  authority,  and 
this  irresistible  counteraction  of  her  inHuence  and  de- 
signs. An  enemy  of  this  dignity,  fortitude  and  power 
could  not  be  tolerated;  accordingly,  the  Jesuits,  un- 
der the  sanction  of  the  French  Ambassador,  at  that 
period  residing  in  Constantinople,  suborned  a  gang  of 
false  witnesses,  who  accused  Cyrillus  of  high  treason 
against  the  state,  and  through  the  perjury  and  malice 
of  tlie  Jesuits,  he  was  slaughtered.  His  successor  in 
the  patriarchate,  who  had  been  the  Jesuits  tool  to 
destroy  Lucar  after  some  time,  notwithstanding  his 
partioiity  for  the  papacy,  was  removed  from  this 
world  by  the  arm  of  tyrannic  violence  ;  and  as  Par- 
thenius,  the  following  Patriarch  was  a  decided  oppo- 
nent of  the  corruptions  and  ambition  of  the  Popedom, 
all  subsequent  attempts,  either  to  exterminate  the 
Bishop  of  Constantinople  appointed  by  Mohamed's 
successor,  or  to  combine  the  discordant  hierarchies, 
which  the  Jesuits  contrived  and  adopted,  have  total- 
ly failed  in  execution.  The  exertions  of  the  Protes* 
tants  also,  on  a  subsequent  occasion,  to  form  a  coali- 
tion with  the  Eastern  professed  disciples  of  the  Re- 
deemer, were  nugatory,  in  consequence  of  their  pro- 
found ignorance  and  bigotry;  which  fact  most  im- 
pressively instructs  us,  that  until  tne  illumination  of 
Christianity  is  generally  diffused  among  them  no  hope 
of  their  improvement  can  rationally  be  admitted.  The 
late  "  shaking  of  the  nations"  among  the  Greeks,  is  a 
future  sul)ject  of  discussion. 


CEKTURICS    aVI, XVIil.  289 

//.  Mysterif^  Btthylon  the  great. 
After  the  complete  organization  of  the  Jesuits,  thej 
vrere  despatched  to  all  the  accessible  regions  of  the 
glt>be,  professedly  to  convert  the  nations  to  Christia- 
nity; but  really  to  extend  the  Papal  jurisdiction,  aiui 
to  procure  those  revenues  from  a  distance,  of  which, 
in  Europe,  tiiroug^h  the  liefornjation,  the  hierarchy 
had  been  despoiled.  ft  is  unnecessary  to  review 
fliese  various  attempts  to  extend  the  pontifical  do- 
minions;  tboy  were  ciiaracterized  by  every  princi- 
ple, which  contradicts  the  pin-ity,  the  candour,  and 
the  philanthropy  of  Jesn^;.  The  researches  of  mo- 
dern Christians  have  verified  the  fact,  that  these  ef- 
forts of  the  Romish  cons:regalion  for  the  propagation 
of  the  faiih,  whether  bv  Jesuits,  Dominicans,  Fran- 
ciscans, Capuchins,  Carmelites,  Sulpicians,  or  by 
those  of  any  other  Monkish  denomination,  have  only 
tended  to  render  the  heathens  subject  to  their  sway, 
more  artful  and  mischievous,  but  not  less  Pagan. 

The  papal  system  occupies  a  vast  space  on  the 
map  of  prophecy ;  it  is  indispensable  therefore,  brief- 
ly to  delineate  its  modernized  condition. 

1.   The  Doctrines. — These  have  been  maintained 
in   all  their  corruption.     Papists  of  the  present  day, 
1  in   nothing  differ  from  their  ancestors  of  the  leaden 
I  age  :  they   contend  for  the  autliority  of  the  Pontiff's 
I  decisions  as  equivalent  to  tlie  demands  of  divine  re- 
velation: they  deny  the  utility  and   importance  of 
the  sacred  oracles  :  they  plead  for  the  perfection  of 
!  human  nature;  they  disregard  the   necessity  of  the 
Holy  Spirit's  infiiiences  :  they  derogate  from  the  va- 
lue of  the   Redeemers  work,  as  the  sole  Mediator 
between  God  and  man;  they  implicitly  bow  down 
to  the  Pope,  as  visible  God  on  earth  ;  they  have  con= 
trived  to   render  the   truth   of  Christianity  doubtful ; 
:md  they  combine  a  fallacy  of  opinion,  and  a  barba- 
rism of  feeling  and  action,  with  a  pertinacity,  not  less 
than  that  which  they  exhibited,    who  justified  the 
Inquisition  in  all  its  horrors.     Of  this  truth,  a  recent 
fact  is  irrefragable  evidence.     During  the  fruitless 
2  N 


290  ECCLESIAJ^TK  AL  HISTORY.  LECTLIie     XV. 

rebellion  in  Ircliuul,  about  twenty  live  years  since, 
the  Northern  Protestants  arrayed  tljeniselves  in  all 
their  force,  to  procure  from  the  British  government, 
the  recognition  of  their  inalienable  rights.  It  speed- 
ily appeared,  however,  that  the  Papists  mingled  ci- 
vil and  religious  questions  in  their  prospects;  and 
ill  the  ebullitions  of  triumph  arising  from  primary 
success,  the  ostensible  chieftains  &crnpled  not  to 
decl.ire,  that  the  extitiction  of  the  enemies  of  the 
church,  would  naturally  follow  the  exclusion  of  the 
English  predominance.  The  descendants  of  the 
Covenanters,  of  course,  withdrew  from  persons  who 
had  resolved  upon  this  outrageous  close  to  their  at- 
tempt to  recover  civic  freedom;  and  the  Irish  still 
grovel  in  penury,  and  groan  beneath  military  coer- 
cion. 

But  this  result  might  rationally  have  been  anticipa 
ted  i'v'Kn  that  wondrous  corruption  of  moral  principle, 
which  has  been  introduced  into  the  boundaries  ot 
the  Romish  Hierarchy,  by  the  Jesuits.  It  must  not 
be  forgotten,  that  the  present  rulers  ot  the  Beast's 
domains;  jare  generally  of  this  tribe  :  "  who  diminish 
the  guilt  of  transgression,  disguise  the  deformity  of 
vice,  loosen  the  reins  to  all  the  passions,  nourish 
corruption  by  their  dissolute  precepts,  and  render 
the  way  to  heaven,  as  easy,  as  agreeable,  and  as 
smooth  as  possible.'"  " 

It  necessarily  follows,  that  the  practice  of  the 
clero;yand  people  could  not  be  amended,  while  they 
admitted  tliese  defding  tenets  ;  and  the  annals  of  the 
papal  rei^ions  testify,  that  in  every  nation  where  po- 
pery has  hitfierto  predouiinated,  and  where  it  still 
rules  without  control  ;  the  utmost  debasement  of  cha- 
racter ise\!iibited  withoui  remorse,  and  that  nothing 
can  meliorate  tlif  ir  degraded  condition,  but  the  light 
of  eva'.gelical  truth,  and  the  individualized  applica- 
tion of  tlie  gospel  of  Jesus. 

2.  Th"  Controvf.nirs. — The  most  famous,  extensive 
and  pcrinanent  disputation,  originated  in  the  doc- 
trines and  morals  of  the  Jesuits.     So  abhorrent  was 


CENTCKJf.S    XVI. XVII[.  29  I 

{he  coiiiiptiori  of  both,  ^vliich  the  disciples  of  Loyola 
introduced;  that  dccoiit  persons  oftlie  Romish  com- 
munion could  not  admit  the  boundless  depravation 
of  theoretic  truth  atid  practical  decorum,  which  these 
vile  debauchees  affirmed  and  promulged. 

A  second  controvcrsj'  arose  respecting  the  nature 
and  necessity  of  divine  grace,  in  which  the  Domini- 
cans and  Jansenists  defended  the  doctrines  of  Augus- 
tin,  and  the  Jesuits  supported  the  old  Pelagian  opin- 
ions :  this  contest  agitated  France  and  Spain  partic- 
ularly, during  more  than  a  century ;  and  was  finally 
ended,  partly  by  the  tergiversation  and  sublilty  of 
the  Pontes,  and  by  tiio  isitervcnlioEi  of  force,  accom- 
panied with  persecution  against  the  Jansenists  in 
every  varied  form. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  repres'ent  the  intestine  discord 
which  has  continually  raged  among  the  adherents  of 
the  Hierarchy  in  an  augmenting  ratio  since  the  peri- 
od of  the  Reformation  : — the  consequences  of  these 
collisions  are  of  more  importance.  The  influence 
of  the  system  has  been  wonderfully  impaired,  and 
the  temporal  authority  of  the  Pope  is  merely  "  the 
shadow  of  a  shade";  still  it  is  undeniable,  that  the 
heterodoxy  of  doctrine,  debasement  of  morals,  and 
superstitions  of  worship,  are  diminished  in  a  very 
small  degree  in  those  countries  from  which  the  en- 
trance of  the  Protestant  or  Reformed  principles  was 
originally  excluded.  To  this  may  be  subjoined  the 
fact,  that  the  lives. of  the  Popish  clergy,  in  tlje  do- 
minions of  the  Man  of  Sin.  are  not  by  any  means  purer 
than  in  the  dark  ages  ;  but  rather,  that  tlie  Priests 
are  intidel  E|)icureans. 

3.  Opposition  to  tite  Proieskmts. — This  is  tlie  most 
interesting  portion  of  the  Popish  history,  since  the 
actual  and  aiitboritative  settlement  of  the  Reforma- 
tion in  the  dilTerenc  nation^  in  which  it  was  intro- 
duced. As  to  the  pretended  attempts  to  propagate 
the  Christian  faith  among  the  heathen,  they  have 
been  attended  witli  bttle  success,  and  with  no  melio- 
ration of  the  professed  converts  ;  they  are  conse- 
quently altogether  unworthy  of  review. 


292  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.         LECTURE    XV. 

'•  Rome,  long  accustomed  to  dominion,  and  bloated 
with  insolence,  contrived  pchemes,  engtiged  in  cabals, 
excited  commo[ions,\vit}i  uninterrupted  and  mischiev- 
ous industry,  to  oppress  tiie  Protestants,  atid  to  ex- 
tinguish the  light  ol'tlie  ghjrious  Rel'orniation.  The 
resources  of  genius,  the  lorce  oiarms,  the  seductions 
of  promises,  the  terrors  of  the  most  formidable  men- 
aces, the  subtilty  of  disputation,  the  iniluence  of  fraud, 
and  the  arts  of  dissimulation  ;  in  short,  all  possible 
means,  open  and  concealed,  honest  aiid  disingenuous, 
"vvcre  employed  lor  the  destruction  of  the  Protestant 
and  Reformed  churches." 

In  the  Austrian  dominions,  commenced  the  oppres- 
sions and  persecutions  of  tije  seceders  froin  the 
Popedom.  The  most  sacred  obligations  and  treaties 
were  violated  ;  while  in  Bohemia  particularly,  a  res- 
olute military  resistance  was  organized,  which  was 
displayed  in  the  election  of  a  Protestant  king,  and 
the  rejection  of  the  Austrian  authority  : — but  this 
event  which,  if  it  had  proved  successful,  would  liave 
been  almost  tantamount  to  the  demolition  of  the 
Papacy,  was,  by  a  mysterious  Providence,  rendered 
abortive.  James,  king  of  England,  refused  to  aid  the 
new  monarch,  although  Frederick  ha<l  married  his 
daughter  :  and  the  Papists  were  aided  by  John,  the 
Lutheran  Elector  of  Saxony — exhibiting  this  remark- 
able anomaly  ;  a  successor  of  that  Elector  who  had 
defended  Lutlier  against  the  Pope  and  Charles  V. 
combined  in  the  cause  of  popery  and  persecution 
against  tlie  reformed  Protestants,  gloriously  asserting 
their  Christian  privileges,  and  the  rights  of  con- 
science. Speedily  after,  the  Emperor  virtually  ab- 
rogated the  former  treaty  of  Augsbiu'g,  by  which  the 
privileges  of  the  protcstants  had  been  solemnly  guar- 
anteed and  sanctioned  with  the  nntional  faith  ;  for 
he  issued  an  outrageous  ordinance,  denominated  the 
edict  of  restitution  ;  by  which  the  reformed  were  com- 
manded, without  delay  to  restore  to  the  Monks  and 
Jesuits,  all  the  property  secured  to  them  by  the  reli- 
gious peace.     Tills  edict  was  enforced  by  sanguinary 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVlll.  -93 

ruffians  in  military  arr[iy,  eucouragcd  by  tlie  ewthc- 
slastic,  covetous,  malignant  and  merciless  Friars  and 
Jesuits,  who  attended  to  encourage  the  rapine  and 
butchery,  and  then  to  gvasp  the  ypoil. 

When  the  misery  and  depopulation  which  flowed 
from  this  iniquitous  tyranny  were  reported  to  th-^ 
!\lmperor,  the  royal  barbarian  calmly  replied,  "  ??iafe- 
i.ius  regnnm  vastatum^  cfuarn  dcwmatum  ;  I  would  rather 
ihat  the  kingdom  should  be  deserted,  than  damned." 
The  Lord,  however,  animated  Gustavus  of  Sweden, 
to  defend  the  liberties  of  mankind  against  this  impe- 
rial blood-sucker;  and  although  he  died  during  the 
war,  yet  his  spirit  survived  him  ;  until  after  tlie  lapf-e 
of  thirty  years,  the  nations  having  exhausted  the::* 
treasures  and  their  energies,  this  ardent  conte-' 
which  had  been  prolonged  vvitii  the  most  unrelentiiio; 
animosity  was  terminated.  The  result  of  the  war 
was  a  refusal  of  their  religious  privileges  to  the  Prot- 
estants ;  but  they  obtained  a  restoration  of  the  prop- 
erty of  which  they  had  been  illegally  divested. 

In  Hungary,  Poland,  Germany,  and  in  the  vallies 
of  Piedmont,  the  prolestants,  at  diflerent  periods,  ex- 
perienced every  variejy  of  suffering.  All  the  ebulli- 
tions of  papal  fury  were  occasionally  exhibited  ;  and 
as  often  as  impunity  permitted,  confiscation,  impris- 
onment, and  carnage,  with  all  the  horrible  appenda- 
ges attached  to  the  devastations  of  a  lawless  undis- 
ciplined gang  of  armed  fanatics,  stimulated  by  sen- 
suality and  plunder,  were  the  wretched  allotment  of 
the  faithful  followers  of  the  Lamb. 

In  Spain,  the  insatiable  cupidity  of  the  Inquisitors 
and  their  agents  for  the  wealth  of  the  descendants  of 
the  original  Saracens,  finally  produced  an  edict  from 
the  bigotted  tool  of  Rome,  their  king,  that  all  the 
Moors  without  exception,  should  be  immediately 
banished  from  his  dominions,  and  transported  to  the 
coast  of  Barbary  ;  from  that  period,  the  Spaniards 
have  b«=^en  the  most  debased,  and  servile,  and  stupid- 
ly superstitious  of  all  the  European  nations  ;  in  short, 
nothing  but  generations  of  ignorant,  deluded,  laz}, 


S^94  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XV. 

corrupt,  cruel,  priest-ridden  devotees,  without  one 
noble  human  characteristic. 

The  Huguenots  of  France  experienced  the  desola- 
ting ibrce  of  the  papal  storm.  Henry  i\\  a  Proies- 
tant,  had  finally  attained  the  throne  of  France;  but 
to  oblain  the  undisputed  possession  of  his  govern- 
ment, he  became  a  nominal  papist.  To  protect  his 
Protestant  friends,  by  whose  instrumentality  he  had 
vanquished  all  opposition;  he  promulged  the  famous 
edict  of  JWrniz.  In  consequence  of  the  advantages 
secured  by  this  royal  instrument  and  declaration, 
the  Protestants  enjoyed  every  possible  immunity; 
they  possessed  fortified  places  as  a  pledge,  for  their 
rights;  and  public  lands  w^ere  allotted,  as  revenues 
for  their  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  the  p;iy  of  their 
garrisons.  During  twenty  years  under  this  pacific 
system,  the  Huguenots  increased  prodigiously  in 
numbers,  wealth  and  influence.  After  Louis  Xfll. 
had  attained  the  years  of  maturity  ;  Cardinal  Riche- 
lieu, a  furious,  bigotted,  Jesuitical  son  of  the  Mother 
of  Abominations,  proposed  to  the  king  that  the  pri- 
vileges granted  to  the  Protestants  by  the  edict  of 
Nantz,  should  be  withdrawn;  and  deceitfully  inti- 
mated, that  the  peace  of  the  kingdom,  and  the  pros- 
perity of  the  church  were  inseparably  coiniected 
with  the  recision  of  that  decree.  Accordingly,  Ro- 
chelle  the  chief  fortress  was  besieged,  and  the  gurri- 
son  having  been  reduced  to  starvation,  were  obliged 
to  surrender;  after  thirteen,  out  of  eighteen  thou- 
sand of  the  inhabitants,  had  been  immolated  as  a 
sacrifice  to  the  papal  iMoloch.  Argument,  persua- 
sions, sophistry,  and  bribes  were  all  in  vain  used  to 
seduce  the  protestants  into  the  embrace  of  the  Mo- 
ther of  Harlots,  Perfidy  having  been  found  ineffici- 
ent; brutality  and  power  were  tried  to  coerce  and 
destroy  those  "of whom  the  world  was  not  worthy." 
Inhuman  laws  dictated  by  bigotted  rage,  oppressions 
invented  by  infernal  malice,  and  cruel  persecution 
in  its  utmost  barbarity  overwhelmed  •'  the  household 
x)f  faitli."     Legions  of  dragoons  with  anintermittin^^ 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVIil.  295 

fury  and  expi^dilion  accompanied  the  Jesuits  to  make 
coiivertis,  or  to  participate  in  the  croisade  ;  some 
hecanie  idolaters,  others  migrated,  fljing  from  their 
lamihcs.  friends,  and  home  ;  but  these  were  few, 
contrasted  with  the  myriads  of  the  believers,  who, 
aniLnated  by  the  fortitude  of  Christianity,  feared  not 
ihem  '•  tiiat  kill  the  body,"  but  most  heroically  nnd 
constantly  •  witrjessed  a  good  confession."  At  last, 
laiigueo  with  miiior  cruelties;  Louis  XiV.  regardless 
otail  obligations,  and  "  all  laws,  human  and  divine," 
exemplified  the  cardinal  doctrine  of  modern  popery, 
"no  (aiih  is  to  be  kept  with  heretics  ;"  for  in  1686, 
he  annulled  the  edict  ofNantz,  thus  depriving  the 
Huguenots  of  their  conscientious  privileges,  and 
enjoining  upon  them  an  immediate  subjection  to  the 
Man  of  Sin,  and  the  reception  of  his  blasphemies. 

More  than  two  millions  of  people  Mere  by  this 
measure,  divested  of  ill  the  enjoyments  and  pleas  of 
common  humanity.  Those  who  were  impeded  from 
migrating  to  other  countries,  were  exposed  to  every 
indignity,  and  were  assailed  with  all  the  barbarity, 
which  a  Jesuit's  diabolical  malevolence,  and  a  pro- 
fessional murderer's  cruel  licentiousness  combined 
could  invent  and  inflict :  they  were  burned  on  the 
Lord's  day  in  multitudes,  m  hen  assembled  for  divine 
worship;  if  they  endeavoured  to  escape,  they  were 
tossed  into  the  tire  at  t!ie  point  of  the  bayonet:  they 
were  roasted  singly  and  in  small  companies  before 
slow  fires-  they  were  gibbeted  alive,  and  left  to  starve 
and  be  devoured  by  carnivorous  birds — they  were 
drowned  as  lood  for  the  fishes — they  were  suilbcated 
by  the  most  tedious  modes  of  strangling — they  were 
racked  until  their  whole  frame  was  dislocated;  then 
they  were  permitted  to  live  maimed,  displaying  eve- 
ry possible  species  of  corporeal  mutilation;  or  after 
having  been  thus  reduced  to  poverty  and  helpless- 
ness Mere  banished  to  England,  Holland,  or  Ger- 
many, there  to  remain  mementos  of  Papal  benevo- 
lence, and  Christian  consistency  and  fortitude. — 
The  earlier  scenes  of  the  French  revolution  exhibit 


Ljb  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORV-  LECrL'RL:    \\\ 

11  wonilrous  ro-action  in  human  affairs  ;  and  a  rigiil- 
coiis  retribution  upon  the  antichristian  hierarchy  for 
tiie  direlul  calamities  vvliich  thev  efTlised  upon  th(^ 
Huguenots. 

After  the  edict  of  Nantz  had  existed  nearly  ID  J 
years,  havijig  been  granted  by  Henry,  who  was  mur- 
dered by  the  Jesuits,  his  second  successor  revoked 
it;  and  about  100  years  subsequent  to  its  being  an- 
nulled, the  second  successor  also  of  him  who  abol- 
ished that  charter  of  liberty  and  religion,  beheld  tlie 
French  portion  of  the  Beast's  domain  alienated  from 
his  sway  ;  and  heard  the  Popish  Infidels  pronounce 
the  sentence,  wiiich  condemned  him  to  a  violent 
death,  similar  to  that  which  his  protestant  predeces- 
sor had  realized  from  their  traitorous  ancestors. — 
These  analogies  are  too  remarkable  to  escape  the 
notice  of  an  observer  of  divine  Providence. 

In  Sweden,  Denmark,  Holland,  and  the  Swiss  pro- 
testant cantons,  no  attempts  of  importance  have  been 
made  to  restore  the  "  Son  of  perdition  ;"  but  in  Brit- 
ain every  macliination  was  contrived.  The  destruc- 
tion of  the  whole  legislature  by  guntjowder,  involving 
the  King  and  his  son,  was  a  Jesuitical  plot  to  usurp 
the  sovereignty.  Charles  I.  was  no  more  than  a  semi- 
proteslant,  with  very  strong  attachments  to  the  Pa- 
pacy ;  and  his  successors  after  the  protectorate  of 
Cromv/ell,  who,  in  truth,  consolidated  the  protes- 
tant religion,  was  not  only  a  disguised  Papist,  but 
treacherously  sold  himself  to  the  apostate  hierarchy 
for  money,  and  by  treaty  secretly  engaged  to  re-place 
the, whole  antichristian  corruption.  The  Lord  in 
his  mercy  to  that  nation,  permitted  William  Jlf.  to 
dispossess  the  next  tyrant,  James,  who  was  an  avow- 
ed adherent  of  t!ie  Pope  ;  and  from  the  revolution  in 
1648,  no  scheme  to  establisli  the  Beast's  supremacy, 
except  two  trilling  endeavors  to  recover  the  throne 
for  James'  descendants,  has  hitherto  been  executed. 

Before  this  review  of  the  Papal  system  is  termina- 
ted ;  it  is  necessary  to  remark,  that  since  the  Refor- 
mation a  large  number  of  persons  of  superior  intelli- 


ciir.TUKiEs  XVI. — XV ill.  297 

i;ence  has  appeared  ainouii;  the  papists,  especially  in 
l^'rance ;  ami  that  the  effect  which  might  have  beeti 
anticipated  was  displayed  :  the  mere  Philo-ophei's, 
despising  the  solemn  mummeries  of  the  prier-tcrat^t, 
became  Infidels;  and  the  illuminated  Theologians 
were  almost  Protestants  ;  hence,  the  temporary 
overthrow  of  (he  antichristian  fabric  in  that  nation, 
must  be  attributed  to  the  gradual  accessions  ofknow- 
ledge,  which  in  various  modes  penetrated  the  Egyp- 
tian darkness,  until  ils  blaze  emitted  splendors  too 
potent  for  the  siiiy  devoK^'s:  and  which,  instead  of 
producing  the  ordiiiary  e(iecis  of  light,  larger  capa- 
city and  a  more  txiended  sphere  of  usefulness,  slu- 
pified  them  with  its  magnificent  rays,  and  struck  them 
with  inlaluation. 

///.  The  Lutherans. 
The  standard  compendium  of  doctrines  that  all 
the  Lutherans  professedly  adopt,  are  the  Confession 
of  Augsburg,  the  articles  of  Smalcald.  and  Luther's 
catechisms  ;  which  are  essentially  in  unison  with 
the  Helvetic  and  the  Reformed  creeds  of  faith. — 
With  respect  to  the  ceremonies  of  worship,  many 
disputes  arose,  which  were  at  last  compromised  by 
a  compact,  that  every  congregation  might  adopt  its 
own  ritual,  provided  that  every  rite  palpably  erro- 
i»eous  and  superstitious  should  be  excluded;  from 
this  Cause,  a  vnst  diversity  in  the  exterior  forms 
of  devotion  subsists  among  the  Lutherans  ;  some 
retaining  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Romish  pomp, 
while  others  approximate  the  simplicity  of  the  re- 
lormed  institutions.  Considerable  difference  of  opi- 
nion is  discernible  amortg  the  followers  of  Luther 
respecting  the  mode  ol  church  government:  strictly, 
it  is  neither  an  episcopacy  nor  presbyterian.  except 
in  Sweden  and  Deniiiark,  where  the  episcopal  au- 
thority is  merely  a  name;  and  hence,  they  are  dissi- 
milor  in  their  sentiments  aiul  practice;  combining  a 
ipec'ies  of  episcopal  superintendence  in  one  district, 
•  nd  in  another  section,  a  ministerial  parity  assembled 
'    «viiod,  w:ithout  jurisdictioii  over  the  separate  coii- 


298  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XT. 

grrgations.  The  Lutherans  generally  incorporate 
liturgies  or  forms  of  prayer  in  their  external  devo- 
tions: but  these  ditferin  their  matter  and  extent,  al- 
though uniform  in  doctrine  and  object:  they  also 
celebrate  a  variety  of  festivals,  introduced  from  the 
catalogue  of  superstition,  to  memorialize  past  events 
and  the  deceased  saints;  but  in  the  number  of  these, 
they  disagree,  and  in  this  Union,  it  is  believed, 
they  are  generally  omitted.  But  in  nothing  is  the 
character  of  the  Lutheran  church  more  disgraced 
than  in  the  extreme  laxity  of  ecclesiastical  dicipline  : 
this  topic  affords  almost  ceaseless  pain  to  the  faith- 
ful ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  is  a  constant  sub- 
ject of  reproach  amoiigthe  Papists,  even  in  Europe: 
yet  from  late  scrutiny,  it  appears,  that  in  this  aspect 
tint  denominaiion  gradiially  meliorating.  Respect- 
ing the  changes  in  the  Lutheran  church,  they 
have  been  scarcely  perceptible  ;  it  has  preserved, 
including  the  minor  delineations  already  enumerated, 
amid  the  ductuations  of  Europe,  an  almost  uniform 
similarity  to  its  general  portrait,  as  determined  by 
the  original  treaty  of  religious  peace  at  Augsburg ; 
and  with  respect  to  its  geographical  boundaries,  ex- 
cept the  Lutheran  churches  founded  in  these  states, 
it  has  neither  received  enlargement,  nor  experienced 
restriction  to  any  extent,  or  of  any  magnitude. 

The  benefits  of  the  Reformation  in  merely  a  litera- 
ry view,  were  extensively  enjoyed  by  the  Lutherans, 
and  they  have  largely  contributed  to  the  mass  of 
knowledge.  Upon  theological  subjects,  they  have 
furnished  a  vast  fund  of  invaluable  matter  for  the  im- 
provement of  mankin-d  :  but  it  must  not  be  omitted, 
that  the  modern  Lutherans  have  very  materially  di- 
verged from  the  belief  of  their  ancestors.  Luther 
and  his  co-adjutors,  Zuinglius  and  his  contempora- 
ries, Calvin  and  his  associates  were  indubitably  uni- 
ted in  principle,  except  in  church  government,  and 
the  manner  in  which  Christ  is  present  in  the  Lord's 
Supper.  0n  two  fundamental  points  of  the  gospel, 
many  of  the  European  christians  have  totally  apos- 


CENTURIES    XY]. XVllI.  299 

latized  from  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  as  well  as  the 
doctrinal  interpretation  .of  the  primitive  Reformers. 
By  considerable  numbers  oi  the  moderns  who  nomi- 
nally belong  to  that  church,  the  divine  character  of 
Jesus  Christ  is^peremptorily  denied,  so  that  they  have 
gone  astray  into  the  error  of  Socinus:  and  the  doctrine 
of  justification  by  faith,  which  Luther  proclaimed  arti- 
cuius  stantis  vel  cadentis  ecdesicp,^  the  article  of  the 
church,  by  which  it  stands  or  falls,  has  been  obscu- 
red by  the  propagation  of  Pelagius'  heretical  delu- 
sions. 

The  controversies  which  have  arisen  in  t'le  Luthe- 
ran church,  since  the  death'  of  that  Reformer,  were 
attended  with  baleful  effects.  In  1548,  Charles  V. 
issued  an  edict  called  the  tn/erini,  containing  all 
the  principal  doctrines  of  Popery,  masked  under  an 
ambiguity  of  expression  which  admitted  of  as  many 
exphcations  as  interpr^ers ;  and  of  course,  equally- 
objectionable  to  an  illiterate  bigotted  Papist,  as  to 
a  conscientious  enlightened  Protestant.  Melancthon, 
all  whose  other  dignified  characteristics  were  deteri- 
orated by  a  timidity  which  knew  no  bounds,  and  by 
a  suppositious  expediency,  always  shifting  as  the 
continually  varying  events  required,  adapted  his  e- 
quivocal  conduct  to  the  emergency;  and  avowed  his 
opinion,  that  in  matters  indifferent,  the  imperial 
edicts  should  be  obeyed.  This  principle  in  ordina- 
ry situations  might  have  been  admissible;  but  in  this 
dilemma,  it  was  almost  tantamount  to  a  dereliction 
of  the  Protestant  cause.  Among  the  things  indifferent^ 
this  most  estimable  but  pusillanimous  man,  to  evade 
the  wrath  of  the  Emperor,  'm?,cnhedi,  justification  bj/ 
faith  alone  ;  the  necessity  of  good  ivorks  to  salvation ; 
the  number  of  the  Sacraments  ;  the  papal  and  episcopal 
jurisdiction;  extreme  unction ;  and  a  large  proportion 
of  the  idolatrous  ceremonial  indissoiubly  intertwined  with 
the  Papal  system.  These  admissions  produced  a 
long  and  violent  contention,  denominated  the  adiapho- 
ristic  controversy ;  which  was  the  source  of  prodigious 
discord ;  and  in  its  effects  w  as  extremely  prejudicia  - 


300  ECCLESIASTICAL  III.^TOKV.  LFX TlRK    XV. 

to  the  progress  of  (he  li<i;!it  and  the  truth.  To  this 
cause,  may  be  in}{)uled  all  the  controversies  which 
successively  disturbed  the  harmony  of  the  Lutheran 
c;<arch  during  100  years,  and  also  the  inetlicacy  of 
e^ery  attempt  which  was  mnde  to  unite  the  disciples 
oi  2'uingle  and  Calvin  with  the  adliei  "Uts  ot  Luther. 
In  the  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century,  the  lat- 
ter lost  two  princes  from  their  body  ;  the  landgrave 
of  Hesse  and  the  elector  of  i3raderd)urgh  :  who  were 
diss  ilisfied  primarily  with  the  doctrine  oi  consubstan- 
ti^rion,  and  afterwards  with  the  aberration  of  the 
Mi.iisters  from  their  acknowledged  standard  oi'theo- 
logicaL  doctrines.  A  subsequent  attempt  to  com- 
bine in  fraternal  bonds  the  two  general  divisions  of 
tiie  Protestants,  engendered  great  disputation  and 
was  attended  with  no  success  ;  and  a  reform,  or  re- 
turn to  the  principles  and  morals  of  the  pristine  Re- 
formers, which  was  introdtiee^l  by  the  Pietists,  ae 
they  were  contemptuously  denominated,  although 
it  produced  great  temporary  excitement,  iinally 
disapp'^ar.'^d  without  much  actual  advantage.  Jt 
nrist  however  b?  mentioned,  that  the  establislunent 
of  tiie  Bible  Societies  has  already  elfected  a  vcvy 
iin/)f)rtant  change  in  tlie  Lntlieran  church  :  and  tliat 
i  I  (he  Prus-ian  dominions,  very  lately,  the  Lutherans 
and  Calvuiis^s  have  formed  a  general  union,  which 
m,  y  eventually  concatenate  thes^e  dissentients  into 
Oiie  compact  body  :  but  these  topics  belong  to  re- 
searcfjes  connected  with  the  history  of  the  Church 
durir.g  the  present  generation. 

iV.   The  established  Church  of  Eus^Iand. 

The  measures  of  Henrj'  VIH.  with  regard  to  the 

chtirc/i.o  :iy  tended  to  exterminate  the  Beast's  eccle- 

st.is.ical  niirho'-Jty.      By  law,  the  Pope's  jurisdiction 

v/a;-  tot  dly   ■v->oiis!jed  ;  but   the  antichristian  errors 

I  f  ../aii!;-d  .    hei.ce   Lufh.r  jocosely    reniarked,  that 

^:e'.^^y  kilhd  the  Pope's  ])ody    his  supremacy,  but 

■.  ^    rv^-d    .'is  soul     the  fdse   dccirines."      During 

>.d's  reign ;   (he  p'.i.h.bi*io;«  agaiist  the  marriage 

iests  was  aiiijulied  ;  masses    were  forbidden; 


CENTURIES    XTI. XV III.  ilO  I 

!',o  communion  in  both  kinds  was  administered  ;  the 
popish  altars  were  removed  ;  the  images  were 
ex{)cl!ed  tVom  the  churches;  the  Scriptures  and  the 
forms  of  prayer,  with  the  Avhole  service  of  the  liturgy 
were  pubhcly  read  in  the  English  language  ;  contin- 
ual amendments  were  introduced  into  the  whole  ec- 
clesiastical polity,  and  the  progress  of  the  Reforma- 
tion was  unceasing  and  irresistible. 

"'■  One  sinner  destroyeth  m\ich  good."  Edward  hav- 
ing been  translated  to  Paradise,  his  sister,  appropri- 
ately called,  Bloochj  Mary^  reversed  all  the  legal  c- 
naciments  :  repealed  all  the  evangelical  ordinances  : 
displaced  all  the  married  ministers  of  the  gospel  ; 
restored  tlie  whole  mass  of  superstitious  ceremonies  ; 
re-established  the  papal  authority  in  all  its  terrific 
majesty ;  and  eventually  promulged  the  great  excom- 
munication against  all  those  who  possessed  the  lands 
of  the  Monks  and  Nuns  and  Friars,  provided  they 
were  not  surrendered  without  delay  to  their  former 
occupants;  thus  resuscitating  the  iniquity  which  had 
been  entombed.  The  consequences  of  this  latter 
measure,  had  it  been  carried  into  efTect,  no  person 
can  divine  :  as  a  large  portion  of  the  confiscated 
domains  had  been  so  transferred,  that  it  would  have 
involved  the  kingdom  in  one  genei'al  commotion  and 
confusion.  She  died,  prior  to  the  adoption  of  the 
measures  necessary  to  accomplish  her  design  ;  and 
the  elevation  of  Elizabeth  to  the  throne,  dissipated 
all  the  schemes  and  expectations  of "  the  unclean 
spirit,  who  like  frogs,  come  out  of  the  mouth  of  the 
dragon,  and  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  beast,  and  out  of 
the  mouth   of  the  false  prophet." 

Although  these  vicissitudes  appear  to  us  most 
stupendous,  yet  the  then  existing  system  admitted  of 
such  changes  with  the  utmost  facility.  The  distinc- 
tion between  Protestantism  and  Popery  was  then 
scarcely  discernible  :  for  the  unenlightened  multi- 
tudes had  never  seen  the  Bible  ;  they  perceived  no- 
thing, but  the  identical  buildings  called  churches, 
with  the  same  men  arrayed  in  theirgorgeous  drapery,- 


302  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.         LECTURE    XV. 

they  heard  the  same  prayers  mumbled  over  in  their 
usual  order  ;  and  their  ignorant  capacities  were  too 
obtuse  to  comprehend  discrepancies  without  a  diffe- 
rence. Except  the  comparatively  few  ecclesiastical 
dignitaries,  the  mass  of  the  clergy  and  laity  were 
impelled  solely  by  the  arbitrary  mandate  of  a  tyrant 
armed  with  the  means  of  irresistible  coercion.  Many 
persons  commenced  infuriated  Papists  with  Henry; 
became  Semi-Protestants  in  accordance  with  his  op- 
position to  the  Pope  ;  were  almost  reformed  Puritans 
under  Edward ;  exhibited  the  highest  features  of 
Dominican  malevolence  while  Mary  swayed  :  aud 
under  Elizabeth,  lived  and  died  staunch  Episcopa- 
lians of  the  established  church  of  England.  This 
marvellous  and  mysterious  masquerading  can  only 
be  satisfactorily  unravelled,  by  the  recollection, 
that  the  characteristics  of  both  systems  as  then  exhi- 
bited and  felt ,  were  immensely  different  from  their 
influence  and  operation  at  the  present  era  ;  and 
that  self-interest  was  almost  universally  the  sole 
spring  of  action. 

Elizabeth  discovering  that  the  predominance  of 
the  Protestant  religion  was  indispensable  to  her  per- 
sonal safety,  and  the  security  of  her  throne  ;  at  length 
directed,  that  all  ecclesiastical  affairs  should  be  re- 
appointed as  in  the. reign  of  Edward.  But  the 
Queen  was  a  Semi-Papist  in  her  principles  and  prac- 
tice ;  for  she  long  retained  tlie  most  senseless 
and  infantile  appendage  of  the  Romish  idolatry, 
the  crucifix  with  the  liglited  tapers  pereiniially  burn- 
ing before  it  :  she  affected  to  be  vehemently  incen- 
sed against  all  the  married  preachers  of  tfie  gospel; 
she  would  never  hear  any  sermons,  but  during  the 
popish  season  of  Lenf. ,  and  in  short  preserved,  as 
far  as  it  was  possible  for  her  to  perpetuate  the  resem- 
blance, all  the  exterior  pomp,  and  superstitious  appa- 
ratus of  the  Apostate  hierarchy  :  the  same  authority, 
and  the  same  diocesan  episcopacy  which  the  Roman 
pontiff  had  ordained,  was  scrupulously  retained,  and 
have  been  as  invidiously  and  pertinaciously  prolong- 
ed even  until  this  generation. 


CKNTURIES    XVI. XV 111.  1503 

Among  the  abominable  measures  which  this  she 
Pope  enacted,  for  Elizabeth  was  not  less  tyrannical 
in  England,  than  Hildebrand  at  Rome,  the  ad  of  mn^ 
forinity  is  pre-eminent :  by  the  operation  of  this  law, 
every  person  whether  of  the  clergy  or  laity  was  obli 
ged  to  conform  to  her  requisitions  in  doctrine  or  wor- 
ship, or  was  exposed  to  the  imputation  of  heresy, 
with  the  assurance  of  this  termagant's  displea- 
sure. By  her  directions,  the  censures  of  the  Pope  in 
the  liturgy  were  erased,  and  the  corporal  presence 
of  Christ  in  the  bread  was  tacitly  admitted  ;  the  va- 
rious sacerdotal  vestments,  the  marks  of  the  Beast 
were  prescribed  ;  the  several  orders  of  the  clergy 
were  established  :  the  cathedral  services,  fasts,  fes- 
tivals, the  sign  of  the  cross  in  baptism  ;  the  reading 
of  the  apocrypha;  the  divine  right  of  the  Bishops; 
with  a  vast  catalogue  of  the  Romish  trumpery  were 
all  incorporated  in  the  national  church  as  essential 
to  her  existence.  These  however  were  opposed  by' 
the  Reformers  without  effect. 

The  men  who  were  designated  as  Puritans,  had 
migrated  from  England  to  Germany  speedily  after 
Edward's  death  ;  and  these  imbibed  an  unconquera- 
ble'prediliction  for  the  purer  and  more  simple  forms 
of  worship,  adopted  in  Switzerland  and  at  Geneva. 
After  Elizabetli's  accession  to  the  government,  they 
returned  to  England,  trusting  that  they  should  enjoy 
peace  and  liberty  of  conscience  as  a  remuneration 
for  their  sufferings  ;  but  the  Queen's  haughty  temper 
and  Popish  attachments  disappointed  their  anticipa- 
tions.  The  first  source  of  discord  was  the  papal 
garments;  these  the  Puritans  wisely  judged  ought 
lobe  banished,  as  they  were  always  associated  with 
the  remembrances  of  popery,  and  served  to  prolonjr 
its  controul  over  the  ignorant  multitude,  who  were 
more  easily  deluded  by  sensible  magnificence,  then  af- 
fected by  spiritual  truth.  As  the  continuance  of  con- 
troversy mvariably  amplifies  its  original  boundaries,  so 
these  dispulers  were  speedily  involved  in  contentions 
upon  a  more  important  subject,  the  mode  of  church 


!30d  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.         LlXTUIlE    XV 

government ;  and  as  this  has  been  the  barrier  be- 
tvveen  the  modern  episcopahans  and  ahno.st  ;>li  tlie 
other  existing  denominations  ;  it  is  necessary  lu  de- 
velope  jM-ecisely  the  topics  of  altercatioi , 

The  first  English  Relbrmers  contended,  diat  only 
two  ollices  existed  in  the  church  by  Christ's  ap- 
j)oinl[nent  ;  that  of  Bishop  or  Presbyter,  for  the 
"vvords  are  syrionymous  in  the  New  Testament,  and 
that  of  Deacon.  But  since  Bancroft  propagated  his 
fallacy,  that  the  Bishops  in  England  are  an  order 
superior  to  priests,  jure  divino,  by  di\inc  right  ;  the 
Eiighsh  Episcopal  church  has  denied  the  validily 
of  the  ordinations  of  all  other  preachers,  except  the 
Papists;  thus  exhibiting  a  novelty  on  earth;  a  church 
excommunicated  by  the  Pope  from  whom  they  pro- 
fess to  derive  tfieir  authority,  and  for  whose  speedy 
destruction  they  constantly  pray  ;  and  at  the  same 
time,  declaring  that  all  who  unite  with  them  in  re- 
jecting the  papal  sway,  and  the  anti-christian  abom- 
inations of  Rome,  have  no  part  in  the  covenant  of 
mercy  ;  and  if  it  were  possible  to  exceed  this  almost 
incredible  absurdity,  it  is  Ibund  in  the  fact,  that, 
neither  the  Episcopalians  in  Scotland  and  Ireland, 
nor  those  in  the  United  States,  are  recognized  by  the 
E  iglish  hierarchy  as  true  sons  of  the  Church  ;  none 
of  them  being  legally  admitted  into  an  English  pul- 
pit or  bcnelices,  wilhout  re  ordination  by  a  Prelate 
who  boasts  of  his  regular  descent  from  Pope  Joan. 

The  Episcopalians  under  Eliz^^ibetli  contended, 
that  the  removal  of  corruption  and  the  extermination 
of  error  from  t!ie  churc^h  was  the  prerogative  of  the 
governing  civil  magistrate — this  principle  the  Puri- 
tans ilatly  denied;  and  affirmed  that  it  was  the  sole 
duty  of  the  olficers  and  members  of  the  church  to  ef- 
fect the  necessary  reformation.  This  was  interpreted, 
to  imply  a  want  of  allegiance  to  the  tyrannic  Queen's 
supremacy. 

Elizabeth's  commissioners  afllirmed  that  in  all 
questions  of  theology,  respecting  doctrine  and  dis- 
pliue,  not'  only    the    scriptures,  but    the   wrxtings 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  395 

t)f  the  Fathers  of  the  primitive  ages  ought  to  be  ad- 
duced as  oracular  .  In  reply,  the  Puritans  declared  ; 
that  the  sacred  orac'es  are  the  only  standard  of  truth, 
and  the  sole  directory  of  worship :  and  that  neither 
anc'ent  institutions  nor  hiiraaji  writings  however  val- 
iiable,  except  as  evidences  of  facts,  are  of  any  autho- 
rity, upon  subjects  vvhich  the  word  of  God  alone  can 
decide.  'This  was  stigmatized  as  rebellion  against 
the  divinely  appointed  rulers  of  the  church. 

These  pretended  successors  of  Peter  asserted, 
that  the  Romish  liieriirchy  was  a  true  church;  that 
the  Pontiff  of  the  Vatican  was  a  lawful  and  veritable 
Bishop  ;  and  that  the  persons  ordained  by  him  were 
duly  authorized  Pastors  of  the  church.  This  posi- 
tion was  evidently  necessary  to  justify  their  semi- 
blasphemous  titles — yoyr  Grace,  most  reverend  and 
n'vht  reverend  Lord  and  Father  in  God.  and  also  to  se- 
cure their  terrestrial  dignities  and  princeli/  revenues  and 
power:  thus  deriving  their  honour  and  emoluments, 
by  uninterrupted  succession  from  "  the  Prmce  of  the 
Apostles."  Qn  the  contrary,  the  Puritans  reproached 
the  apostate  system,  as  a  mere  political  contrivance 
of  spiritual  despotism,  altogether  alien  from  the  gos- 
pel ;  the  head  of  it  as  "  Antichrist  and  the  Man  of 
Sin;"  its  destructive  doctrines  and  discipline  as  idol- 
atrous, and  diametrically  opposed  to  "  pure  and  un- 
defiled  religion ;"  and  consequently,  they  discarded 
all  communion  with  it,  and  considered  all  similarity 
to  it  in  theory  or  practice,  as  dangerous,  and  a  fla- 
grant departure  from  genuine  Christianity. 

The  episcopal  controvertists  alleged,  that  the  form 
of  church  government  established  by  Constantine  and 
his  successors  was  more  perfect  than  that  which  had 
been  instituted  by  our  Lord  and  his  Apostles — the 
Puritans  repelled  the  unholy  insinuation ;  and  main- 
tained, that  every  necessary  ecclesiastical  rule  was 
revealed  in  the  New  Testament  the  only  standard  of 
order,  discipline  and  devotion. 

Elizabeth's  sub-tyrants  proclaimed,  that  things  in 
themselves  indifferent,   which  are  neither   enjoined 
2  P 


306  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XV. 

nor  prohibited  in  scripture  ;    particularly  external 
ceremonies   of  vvQrsliip,  the  robes  of  the  ministers, 
forms  of  prayer,  rehgious  festivals,  with  other  simi- 
'lar   ii)Stitutes.  mis^ht   be   authoritatively  enacted  by 
the  civil  magistrate;  and  that  disobedience  to  such 
regulations  was  an  act  of  rebellion  against  the  state. 
In  reply  to  this  position,  the  Puritans  retorted,  that 
it  was  an  ir.de<;ent  usurpation  to  impose  as  mdispen- 
sable,  that  which  the  Redeemer  had  revealed,  and 
which  the  llierarchs  themselves  admitted  to  be  indif- 
ferent ;  and  especially  that  those  rites  and  ceremonies 
which  had  already  been  incorporated  with  an  idola- 
trous system,  and  tlie  use  of  which  revived  and  per- 
petuated superstitious  impressions,    instead    of  be- 
ing estimated  as  indifferent,  should   be  discarded  as 
anti-evangelical  and  impious.     This   was   pronoun- 
ced contempt  for  the  regal  and  episcopal  jurisdiction. 
To   enforce  uniformity   and    obedience    to  tliese 
claims,  a  court  was  established  called   the  high  com- 
mi>si">n ;  armed  with  spite  and  myrmidons,  to  subdue 
the    'Conscientious    and   refractory    Puritan.       They 
wer;'  authorized  to  extort  answers  to  every  inquiry 
whioh  they  propounded,  by  the  rack,  or  any  other 
torture  or  impriso!jment — their  sentence  was  perfect- 
ly arbitrary  ;  ajul  they  exhibited  in  the  audacity  ot 
their  impositions,  as  articles   ot  Jaith,  and    in  their 
refin-rments  of  cruelty,  ail  the  iniquitous  barbarity 
and  appalling  torments  of  a  consummate  Dominican 
Inquisition.     One  circumstance  connected  with  this 
subject,  stamps  the  ecclesiastical  governors  of  that 
period    with   indelible   infamy  ;    that   the    Puritans 
whom   they   robbed,  starved,  scourged,  mercilessly 
afilicied,  imprisoned,  eyiled,  hanged  or  burnt,  most 
sincerely  b'*!ievpd  all  Ihe  articles  of  christian  faith, 
publicly  est'^blished  and  promuiged,  as  the  theologi- 
cal cn^jd  of  the  Kiiglish  nation.    Hence  at  th  ■  period 
of  Elizabs^th's  dea'h,  the  people  were  sciircelv  more 
reformed  from  Popery,  than  when  Mary  assumed  ihW 
government. 


CENTURIES    XVI. XV11(.  *  307 

The  doctrines  of  the  established  church  of  England 
are  decidedly  calvinistic  ;  and  no  persons  of  contrary 
opinions    were    admitted    to   ofiiciate    as    Ministers 
among  them,  until  the  latter  end  of  James'  reign.— 
This  monarch,  it  had  been  hoped,  would  moderate 
the  arrogance  of  the  episcopal  claims,  and   aflbrd 
peace  to  the  persecuted  Puritans.     A  few  years  prior 
to  the  death  of  Elizabeth,  he  publicly  declared  that 
"  the  English  liturgy  was  an  evil  said  mass ;  wanting 
nothing  but  the  elevation   of  the  host,"  and  having 
charged  all  the  Scotch  to  stand   sledtast  in  the  pres- 
byterian  faith,  he  added,  '•  as  long  as   I  brook  my 
life  1  shall  do  the  same."     But  immediately  after  he 
was  established  king  of  England,  his  popish  predi- 
lections were  developed  ;  his  motto  was,  "  no  bishop, 
no  king  ;"  and  a  resolute  design  to  introduce  popery 
was  evinced.     Every  measure  which  the  ecclesiasti- 
cal usurpers  supposed  was  accommodated  to  counte- 
ract the  Puritans  was  adopted:  the  Calvinistic  doc- 
trines   were  denied — high-toned    arminianism   was 
substituted — the  objectors  to  the  antichristian  cha- 
racteristics of  the  estabhshed  church   were  persecu- 
ted in  every  possible  form — treaties  with  the  Popish 
princes  were  ratified  for  the  most  abhorrent  objects, 
the  overthrow  of  civil  and  religious  freedom;  and  as 
if  the  royal  and  episcopal  governments  had  resolved 
to  secure  the  effusion  of  divine  w  rath  upon  themselves 
and  the  nation,  they  issued  " //<«  book  of  sports  •''  by 
which  all  persons   were   commanded  "  immediately 
after  public  worship  on  the  Lord's  day,  to  engage  in 
^''Sports  and  pastimes^  revelling  and  drinking,''''  to  verify  that 
they  were  not  Puritans. 

Charles  I.  proceeded  upon  his  father's  system,  and 
sedulously  endeavoured  to  extend  the  royal  preroga- 
tive above  all  law ;  to  subject  every  person  to  the 
episcopacy  ;  and  to  restore  the  national  church  as 
nearly  as  possible,  to  the  exterior  appearance  stomp- 
ed upon  it  by  the  Dragon's  Beast.  To  accomplish 
these  objects  -,  he  attempted  to  introduce  the  episco-^ 
pal  hierarchy  into  Scotland  by   military   force ;  thr^ 


308  ECCLKblASTICAL  HIST©RV.  LECTURE    XV. 

Puritans  were  disgraced  with  every  species  of  pcrsor 
iial  indignity,  and  tormented  by  every  kind  of  sutier- 
ing  ;  and  the  most  larcical  portions  of  all  tlie  ceremo- 
nial buflfoonery  practiced  at  Rome,  were  publicly  em- 
bodied in  the  legalized  ritual  by  Laud,  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury.  These  outrageous  proceedings,  in 
connection  with  the  attempt  to  exterminate  the  Refor- 
mation in  Ireland  in  1641,  by  the  butchery  of  the 
Protestants;  which  was  sanctioned  if  not  absolutely 
commanded  by  Charles  ;  and  during  which  slaughter, 
it  is  supposed  not  less  than  100,000  Protestants  were 
massacred  in  the  most  inhuman  and  execrable  forms  ; 
eventually  excited  resistance  in  arms.  After  a  civil 
contest,  which  continued  with  prodigious  fury  during 
several  years,  which  desolated  the  kingdom  througli 
all  its  departments,  and  in  which.  Laud  and  his  prin- 
cipal coadjutors  were  executed  under  the  forms  of 
law,  or  died  in  battle ;  Charles  himself  was  beheaded  ; 
and  a  military  government  controled  the  affairs  of 
the  nation. 

To  evince  the  necessity  of  this  change,  however 
deplorable  were  the  means  by  which  it  was  effected  ; 
it  is  not  superfluous  to  state,  that  Laud  and  his  inferior 
^geiils.  promulged  that  the  Pope  is  not  Antichrist — in 
the  church  of  Rome  is  no  hazard  of  damnation — no  idolatry 
exists  in  that  church.  Crucifixes,  altars  and  images 
were  erected  in  the  houses  of  devotion,  and  adored; 
the  invocation  of  saints  was  pronounced  lawful;  (lie 
seven  Sacraments  and  all  tlip  orders  of  popish  minis- 
ters were  declared  seriptuial;  extreme  unction  was 
affirmed  lo  be  laudable  ;  purgatory  was  maintained  ; 
the  corporal  presence  of  Christ  in  the  wafer  was  de- 
fended :  the  superstitious  celebration  of  festivals  was 
asserted;  the  most  licentious  abuse  and  profanation 
of  the  Lord's  day  was  regularly  inculcated  by  the 
Ministers,  enjoined  by  law,  and  practiced  by  the 
episcopal  royalists,  under  severe  penalties;  sermo- 
nizing was  contemned  as  uimecessary ;  and  the  Li(- 
tirgy  which  Charles  and  Laud  endeavoured  to  impose 
upon  the  Scotch  nation  was  filled  with  the  venom  of 


CENTURIES    XVI. XV 11 1.  3Qd 

popery.  The  temporary  demolition  of  the  regal  and 
episcopal  supremacy  exterminated  the  poison.— 
During  Cromwell's  protectorate,  the  puritans  in- 
creased in  numbers,  opulence,  learning,  and  inliu- 
ence  ;  and  firmly  laid  the  corner  stone  of  that  templf 
of  freedom  in  Britain,  which  no  subsequent  machina- 
tions of  despotism  have  been  sufficiently  powerful  to 
subvert  and  raze  :  and  it  must  also  now  be  admitted, 
that  ihe  revolution  of  affairs  which  occurred  from  the 
death  of  Charles  I.  to  the  inauguration  of  his  son, 
was  indubitably  necessary  to  deliver  the  nation  from 
papal  gloom,  and  the  debasing  fetters  of  an  absolute 
monarchy. 

Charles  ir.  was  established  upon  the  throne  of  his 
ancestors;  and  one  of  his  first  laws  was  an  "  act  of 
uniformity,"  enforcing  upon  all  ministers,  to  sub- 
scribe "  to  all  and  every  thing  contained  in  the  book 
ofcomm©n  prayer;"  declaring  the  ordination  of  all 
ihe  Puritans  null  and  void  ;  and  requiring  them  to 
submit  to  be  re-ordained  by  the  bishops.  This  out- 
rageous "violation  of  all  laws,  human  and  divine," 
ejected  2000  of  the  most  pious,  enlightened,  and 
laborious  preachers  from  the  national  church ;  who 
suffered  every  species  of  contumelious  injury  and 
deprivation  for  their  adhesion  to  the  principles  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  To  avoid  the  suspicion  of  Puritan- 
ism and  Non-conformity,  the  religious  principles  and 
devotions  of  their  friends  were  caricatured  in  the 
theatre,  and  ridiculed  in  the  church ;  and  the  Court 
and  Clergy,  with  their  adherents  then  first  denomina- 
ted Tories,  to  avoid  the  charge  of  hypocrisy,  exhibited 
the  utmost  debauchery  of  manners,  and  a  heterodoxy 
of  sentiments  which  can  scarcely  be  classified.  With 
few  exceptions,  it  was  a  sceptical  indilference  on 
poi'its  of  christi;: '^  doctrine;  wliile  the  standard  of 
morals  was  little  superior  to  that  which  Cicero  had 
pvoi:inlo-«^rl.  The  retrogression  to  the  Romish  aposta- 
sy s".  vs  :,':raducd  ind  had  J:imes  been  equally  artful  as 
Cr  '"K  .V  it  might  have  succeeded  ;  but  the  Lord  graci- 
OMsly  permitted   "  Judas  t©  display  his  cloven  foot." 


310  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE     XV 

before  the  national  hierarchy  had  imbibed  a  sufficient 
attachment  for  his  Satanic  majesty,  voluntarily  to  sub- 
mit to  his  jurisdiction.  James,  after  a  short  reign, 
abandoned  the  government  to  William  of  Holland, 
who  had  married  his  daughter,  a  decided  reformed 
Protestant.  Since  that  period,  the  established 
church  of  England  has  preserved  much  similarity  of 
character;  which  was  never  more  accurately  deli- 
neated, than  by  the  famous  Lord  Chatham  ;  "  JVe  have 
a  Calvinistic  erectly  a  popish  liturgy^  and  cm  Arminian  cler- 
gy.'''* At  present,  however,  the  condition  of  the  Brit- 
ish episcopalians  is  meliorating;  their  doctrines  from 
the  pulpit  are  becoming  more  consistent  with  their 
thirty  nine  articles,  and  a  higher  strain  of  evangelical 
unction  is  commingling  witli  their  expositions  of  the 
gospel  ;  the  number  of  faithful  zealous  ministers 
rapidly  augments,  who  combine  a  liberality  of  senti- 
ment, and  an  urbanity  of  intercourse  with  the  des- 
cendants of  the  Puritans,  uisknown  to  former  gene- 
rations ;  that  Laodicean  lukewarmness  which  had 
overspread  the  whole  estabhshment  during  more* 
than  a  century,  is  gradually  disappearing  ;  and  the 
freshness  and  vigour  of  active  exertion  to  promote 
and  extend  the  spiritual  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  begin  to  unfold  themselves  in  a 
copious  eniission  of  the  terrestrial  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness, with  the  verdant  foliage  and  enchanting  blos- 
«oms  of  a  blissful  immortality. 


The  reformed  churches  of  Switzerland— Geneva — France 
— the  Yandois — Bohemia — Poland — the^etherlcmds — - 
and  the  established  church  of  Scotland^  from  the  Refor- 
mation to  the  commencement  of  the  nineteenth  century. 


It  has  already  been  recorded,  that  among  the  dis- 
senters from  the  Romish  hierarchy,  "who  appeared 
at  the  commencement  of  the  sixteenth  century,  an 
important  division  in  sentiment  existed  upon  three 
general  topics :  the  nature  of  Christ's  presence  in  the 
Sacrament  of  the  Supper  ;  the  external  forms  of  de- 
votion ;  and  the  mode  of  church-government.  The 
doctrine  and  practice  of  Luther  and  his  disciples  on 
these  subjects,  constituted  an  insurmountable  barrier 
to  general  union,  and  hence  arose  the  various  bod- 
ies, although  not  equally  restricted,  accurately  de- 
nominated Presbyterian. 

^^hen  the  scattered  adversaries  of  the  Pope  com- 
menced their  spiritual  warfare  ;  they  were  in  a  great 
degree  ignorant  of  tlie  subjects  which  afterwards 
excited  such  violent  controversies  among  them;  and 
it  is  probable,  that  they  were  principally  interested 
in  one  point  only,  their  secession  from  the  aposlacy ; 
for  however  widely  they  subsequently  differed  ;  in 
their  invincible  antipathy  to  the  Man  of  Sin  and  his 
antichristian  abominations,  they  all  were  unanimous. 
But  w^hen  the  success  of  their  primary  opposition  per- 
mitted them  to  review  all  the  diversified  traditions 
which  the  gospel  condemned ;  an  inquiry  arose  res- 
pecting the  extent  to  which  reform  should  be  limited. 
The  Lutherans  and  English  episcopalians,  from  a 
variety  of  causes  which  have  been  narrated,  were 
arrested  in  the  work  of  renovation  ;  but  the  churches 


31  2  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XVI. 

generally  designated  as  reformed,  not  being  obstruc- 
ted by  the  same  impediments,  enlarged  their  vievs 
and  piirilication  ;  with  an  inflexible  resolution  if 
practicable,  to  assimilate  the  modern  church  to  the 
primitive  apostolic  exemplar. 

This  august  system  was  originally  adopted  by 
Zuingle  in  Switzerland,  who  decidedly  and  equally 
opposed  the  transubstantiating  absurdities  of  Home, 
and  Luther's  not  less  preposterous  consubstantiation. 
He  was  also  determinately  averse  from  all  the  cere- 
monial insignificant  apendages  to  devotion,  which  the 
Roman  Pontiffs  had  successively  consecrated;  im- 
ages, altars,  wax-tapers,  exorcism,  and  auricular 
confession;  and  the  whole  episcopacy  was  virtually 
abrogated  by  the  tendency  of  his  doctrines.  Calvin, 
(piickly  after  the  death  of  Zuingle,  removed  to  Ge- 
neva ;  and  extended  the  theory  of  the  *Swiss  reformer, 
until  it  assumed  nearly  the  same  conformation  which 
it  still  displays;  the  spiritual  character  of  the  Lord's 
supper,  the  total  exclusion  of  every  attempt  to  im- 
press divine  truth  by  the  medium  of  the  senses  alone, 
and  the  perfect  equality  of  all  the  Ministers  of  the 
gospel.  To  these  points  was  superadded  the  insti- 
tution of  presbyteries  and  synods,  to  whom  was  con- 
fided a  high  degree  of  legislative  and  judicial  autho- 
rity in  the  government  of  the  church. 

In  minor  doctrinal  principles,  in  some  forms  of 
worship,  and  in  unimportant  ecclesiastical  regula- 
tions, tlie  churches,  enumerated  as  reformed,  varied  ; 
but  in  every  essential  characteristic  they  were  uni- 
form ;  and  notwithstanding  they  recognize  dilTerent 
authorities  as  standards ;  the  French,  Genevan,  Hel- 
vetic and  Bohemian  confessions,  the  articles  of  the 
Synod  of  Dort,  and  the  Westminster  Assembly's  Con- 
iession  of  Faith,  may  be  easily  admitted  by  all  those 
who  receive  Calvin's  Institutes,  as  a  correct  explica- 
tion of  evangelical  truth.  Consistory  and  session, 
classis  and  presbytery,  synod  and  assembly,  are 
merely  divers  appellations  for  the  same  bodies,  who 
e,Yercise  similar  powers  in  their  churches,  with  one 


CENTURIES  XVI. XVIIl.  313 

^list'mction  only;  the  Scotch  Presbyterian  hierarchy 
and  their  descendants  claim  a  more  unhmited  juris- 
diction over  their  congregations,  than  that  which 
the  others  assume.  This  usurpation  arising  proba- 
bly, from  the  supremacy  which  the  civil  law  allotted 
to  them,  and  their  total  exemption  from  persecution, 
since  William's  accession  to  the  throne  of  Britain. 

1.  Switzerland. — The  churches  whicli  were  primarily 
collected,  in  consequence  of  the  labours  of  Zuingle 
and  others  in  the  Swiss  cantons,  have  retained  much 
of  their  original  character;  anfj  amid  all  the  com- 
motions of  three  centuries,  have  evinced  a  great 
degree  of  stedfastness  and  purity.  At  present,  they 
rank  among  the  most  efficient  and  active  propagators 
of  the  sacred  oracles  on  the  European  continent.  One 
remarkable  proof  of  their  christian  principles  is  evin- 
ced by  ihe  fact;  that  although  from  the  period  of 
the  reformation,  they  have  been  divided  into  Refor- 
med Lutherans  and  Papists;  yGt  after  the  first  colli- 
sion subsided,  they  have  all  remained  "  at  peace 
-among  themselves  ;"  thereby  demonstrating,  that  the 
love  of  civil  liberty  extirpates  the  spirit  of  religious 
persecution  ;  that  even  their  ancient  popery  was  of 
the  mildest  form;  and  that  their  modern  attachment 
to  the  truth  has  not  exterminated  their  evangelical 
piiilanthropy. 

2.  Geneva. — The  church  of  Geneva  and  the  theo- 
logical college  which  Calvin  established  in  that  city, 
long  maintained  an  undisputed  pre-eminence  :  but  af- 
ter the  lapse  of  a  century,  it  began  to  decline  ;  and 
latterly  has  been  the  temple  of  error.  A  departure 
from  christian  truth,  approximating  open  inhdelity, 
during  a  series  of  years,  has  been  the  avowed  char- 
acter of  those  w^ho  teach  where  Calvin  lectured,  and 
who  read  heresy  w^here  that  mighty  reformer  en- 
forced the  gospel ;  so  that  even  at  this  period,  it  may 
be  said  in  the  bewailing  language  of  the  tearful  Jere- 
miah, "  how  is  the  gold  become  dim,  how  is  the 
iiiosl  fine  gold  changed  !  the  stones  of  the  sanctuary 
are  poured  out  in  the  top  of  every  street." 
2Q 


314  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORV.  LECTURE    XVL 

3.  France. The  history    of   the  Hiigiipnols  in 

Franco  has  been  almost  narrated  in  the  review  of 
their  tortures. .  From  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of 
Nantz,  the  reform  of  religion  in  thai  nation  has  been 
virtually  cruslied.  Those  who  reniained  in  theii' na- 
tive country  were  preserved  from  total  extinction 
merely  by  their  obsc^urity.  Alter  the  revohilion  in 
17B9,they  began  to  appear  in  public,  and  duringthat 
tempestuous  season  were  exempt  from  an<i;uish,  on 
account  of  their  religious  pi-ofe'^sion.  Napoleon, 
wiiile  he  directed  the  French  goveriiment,  not  oidy 
tolerated,  but  extended  to  them  all  possible  encour- 
agement; so  that  ^' the  word  of  the  Lord  had  iVee 
course  and  was  gloritied."  Their  peace  however, 
was  of  short  duration;  for  after  the  second  restora- 
tion of  Louis  XVIIL,  the  sanguinary  arm  of  their  in- 
imical oppressors  was  raised  ag.iinsl  them,  and  all 
the  atrocities  of  the  most  execrable  periods  of  popish 
severity  were  again  perpetrated,  wilh  the  avowed 
purpose,  to  extirpate  those  descendaiiis  of  the  primi- 
tive Huguenots.  The  infuriated  monsters  were  ar- 
rested in  their  iniquitous  progress,  through  the  inter- 
position of  the  British  government,  which  was  irre- 
sistibly demanded  by  the  English  Dissenters  and 
Scotch  Presbyterians  ;  the  force  of  wliose  christian 
philanthropy  nothing  could  check,  uiitilt'ieir  reform- 
ed brethren  in  France  were  parially  reinstated  in 
their  toleration ; — thus  restoriiig  570  congregations 
and  nearly  two  millions  of  Protestants  to  some  of  their 
privileges,  and  peace. 

4.  The  VauJois. — The  Vaudois,  who  are  descend- 
ed from  the  ancient  VV^aldenscs,  stdl  reside  in  three 
small  vallies.  at  the  foot  of  the  '^Ips  which  separate 
France  from  Piedmont.  Persecution  in  various  forms 
oppressed  and  terrified  them  ;  although  not  to  the 
same  extent,  as  that  which  the  Huguenots  experien- 
ced. Oliver  Cromwell  menaced  the  kings  of  France 
and  Sardinia  with  his  wrath;  if  they  dared  to  pour 
out  their  irreligious  finy  upon  these  sons  of  the  primi- 
tive Dissenters  fromthe  Popedom.   Intimidated  by  this 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  315 

liidependenl,  they  ceasetl  from  their  diabolical  project. 
William  HI.  of  England  granted  to  each  of  tlie  minis- 
ters among  the  Vandois,  an  annual  salary  of  400  li- 
vrcs,  vviiich  was  rop;ularly  paid  bv  his  successors  un- 
til 1 1  97  ;  thus  !na'i»taining  the  cause  of  Christ,  among 
thoso,  almost  uiiI;.iovv:i  christians,  for  the  trifling  sum 
of  li@0  dollars  per  annum.  When  Napoleon  gotern- 
ed  France,  all  possible  protection  and  encourage- 
ment were  admioistered  to  the  inliabUants  of  these 
Alpine  vales.  The  property  of  which  they  had  been 
despoiled  by  the  Papists  was  restored,  and  the  sala^ 
ry  of  each  pastor,  if  it  amounted  not  to  1000  francs, 
was  supplied  from  the  national  treasury;  ordered 
avowedly  and  expressly,  to  reimburse  them  for  the 
loss  of  the  Englisti  donation,  the  transmission  of 
which  the  war  had  doubtless  interrupted.  During 
the  reign  ot  Napoleon,  in  the  possession  of  their  civil 
and  religious  liberties  their  temporal  concerns  pros- 
pered;  "•  the  word  of  God  grew  and  multiplied;" 
and  they  fancied  that  perpetuity  was  fully  inscribed 
upon  their  enjoyments.  But  "  vanity  and  vexation 
of  spirit"  are  the  characteristics  of  all  sublunary  af- 
fairs ;  the  supremacy  of  their  friend  was  demolished  ; 
the  pretended  hgihinatcs  vanquished  the  supporter  of 
the  Protestants,  and  the  rights  of  conscience  ;  and  the 
votaries  of  the  Beast  resumed  their  outrageous  vio- 
lence and  devastations.  The  Vaudois  were  again 
pillaged  :  their  churches  were  closed  ;  Papists  of  the 
vilest  order,  wlihout  virtue,  probity  or  intellio^ence, 
were  commissioned  to  rule  over,  or  rather  to  worry 
them;  and  all  kindness  to  the  Protestants  was  de- 
nounced, "  under  pain  of  excommunication,"  by  the 
Popish  priests,  who  were  appointed  by  the  instrumen- 
tality of  the  wj^holy  alliance  to  convert  or  torment 
these  lamb-like  members  of"  tlie  household  of  faith." 
Notwithstanding  all  their  anticipated  triumphs,  these 
idolaters  who  bear  "  the  mark  and  name  of  the  beast," 
eventually  discovered  ;  "  that  there  was  one  place 
in  Europe",  where  the  oppressed  could  appeals  and 
where  as  long  as  public  justice  lingered  in  the  old 


316  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTL'RE    XJ  f. 

world,  acts  of  atrocity  could  be  stamped  with  iiillaniy, 
and  men  who  were  sulTered  to  remain  iinpiinislied, 
could  be  visited  with  public  detestation."  The  Eng- 
lish Dissenters  heard  the  groans  ol'  their  distant  suf- 
fering christian  brethren;  they  appealed  to  the  Brit- 
ish government  for  a  resuniplion  of  the  former  pay- 
m<M)ts  in  salaries  to  the  Ministers  of  thevallies  of  Pied- 
mont :  and  relying  upon  that  eilicient  patronage,  they 
exerted  themselves  to  obtain  anew  tor  the  Vftudois, 
"their  er.joytnent  of  those  civil  and  religious  rights^ 
of  v.hicfi.  by  ignorance,  intolerance  and  injustice  a- 
lonc,  they  h;id  been  deprived."  At  the  same  time, 
thnt  most  august  institution,  whicli  now  stands  the  van- 
guard of  the  noble  army  of  European  christians  who 
are  contending  for  the  evangelical  and  social  '•  rights 
of  man,"  '•  the  Protestant  Societij  for  the  protection  of  re- 
ligious liberty,'"'  publicly  avowed  their  unalterable  de- 
termination, that  if  necessary,  ^'  they  would  contribute 
to  their  aid  ;  that  they  would  invite  all  wise  and  good 
men  to  imitate  the  conduct  wliich  the  best  and  wisest 
of  their  ancestors  had  displayed  :  and  that  they 
would  collect  a  fund  for  the  Vaudois,  which  should 
permanently  mitigate  their  evils,  preserve  tlieir  wid- 
ows from  famine,  and  their  Ministers  from  despair; 
and  cause  their  children,  and  their  children's  chil- 
dren, amid  their  glens,  and  dells,  and  rocks,  scarcely 
pervious  to  a  foreign  foot,  and  in  their  humble  chur- 
ches, at  the  liours  of  prayer,  long  to  continue  to  re- 
peat the  praises  and  the  supplications  which  their 
parents  had  so  often  uttered,  that  God  would  ever 
bless  with  peace  and  with  prosperity,  the  church  and 
the  world."  Although  we  are  separated  by  the  At- 
lantic Hoods  from  these  gospel  warriors ;  it  is  enrap- 
turing, to  remember  ;  that  tlie  grand  charter  of  evan- 
gelical truth  and  freedom,  which  in  these  states  sways 
unrestricted  by  national  i-egulations,  has  been  adopt- 
ed by  the  descendants  oftlu;  primitive  witnesses  who 
prophesied  in  sackloth  ;  and  although  the  Vaudois 
include  a  population  of  about  25,000  souls  oidy  ;  yei 
that  in  London,  a  liost  of  the  pacific  combatants  of  the 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVIlI.  "[?]7 

Redeemer,  allied  by  bonds  and  covenants  ^^hich 
time  cannot  corrode,  and  which  distance  cannot  en- 
feeble ;  are  always  ready.  vio;orous,  and  on  the  alert, 
to  i  -iiiarldate  the  Druoron's  Beast  with  all  his  authori- 
ty:  and  to  defend  that  sacred  cause,  which  includes 
the  present  coniibrts,  and  which  guarantees  the  li-i- 
umpha[it  everlasting  felicity  of  all  those  "  who  follow 
the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth." 

5.  Bohemia. — After  the  porsecutions  in  Bohemia, 
which  were  ended  by  the  peace  of  Westphalia ;  the 
Proiestant  cause  declined  ;  and  comparatively  few 
vestiges  are  n©vv  visible  of  that  glorious  host,  who  so 
long  and  so  successfully  resisted  the  Papal  impos> 
tions,  except  as  they  have  appeared  in  their  modern 
Moravian  descendants. 

6.  Poland. — In  Poland,  the  light  of  the  Reformation 
early  diffused  its  lustre  ;  but  its  glory  was  soon  tar- 
nished by  the  propagation  of  innumerable  errors, 
respecting  the  character,  offices,  and  work  of  the  Me- 
diator ;  and  the  eclipse  gradually  extending  its  gloom, 
the  influence  of  the  truth  was  of  minor  efficacy.  The 
late  commotions  and  disunion  of  that  unhappy  nation, 
will  probably  be  in  some  measure  beneficial ;  as  they 
have  transferred  a  large  portion  of  its  territories  to  a 
Protestant  Prince  ;  and  the  present  generation  view 
with  an  extremely  abhorrent  countenance,  all  at- 
tempts at  religious  coercions.  Peacefully  to  permit 
the  adversaries  of  the  Romish  hierarchy  to  worship 
God,  and  to  promulge  the  glorious  gospel  in  the  ver- 
nacular languages,  will  most  effectually  demolish 
♦'  that  great  city,  which  ruleth  over  the  kings  of  the 
earth." 

7.  The  JVetherlands. — The  blessings  of  the  gospel 
were  diffused  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  Nether- 
lands, not  long  after  the  secession  of  Henry  VIII.  from 
the  .Popedom.  Charles  V.  engrossed  by  the  tumul- 
tuous concerns  of  his  wide-spread  dominions,  very 
slightly  interfered  in  the  religious  changes  of  the  Bel- 
gic  provinces.  But  his  son,  Philip,  discerning  the 
spirit   of  liberty  and   independence  which  the  low 


318  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTSRV.  LECTURE  XVr. 

Dutch  had  imbibed  through  their  liberation  from  pa- 
pai  vassalage,  resolved  to  destroy  v  by  the  most  vio- 
lent oppression.  By  his  com-T>and,  ihe  iiiqiii^^ition 
was  erected,  armed  with  the  most  extensivelv  tre- 
mendous authority,  and  denouncing  unlimited  \en- 
gence  agr.inst  all  the  reformed.  Cruelt)'  and  an- 
guish at  last  exasperated  all  orders  of  the  community : 
the  nobles  associated  to  obtain  by  force  the  rep.e  :1 
of  the  tyrannical  and  merciless  decrees  u  hich  Ifiihp 
had  issued  against  them,"aiid  the  unequivocnl  resto- 
ration of  their  religious  rights  and  liberty;  while 
the  ungovernable  and  irritated  multitudes  proceeded 
in  a  more  summary  manner  to  obtain  r(  dress.  1  liey 
razed  the  monasteries,  burnt  t!je  images  which  were 
placed  in  the  churches,  and  having  emitted  iheir  r,;(yo 
against  the  oihcers  of  the  inqnisitiois  expelled  them 
from  the  country.  Philip  transported  a  large  nimy 
from  Spain,  to  reduce  the  revolted  provinc^t^s  to  the 
most  debasing  subordination.  His  general,  the  Uuke 
of  Alva,  commenced  his  sanguinary  career,  by  an  in- 
discriminate slaughter  of  r:\ll  those  who  were  opposed 
to  the  Pope  ;  18930  of  the  rel'ormed  were  hanged 
by  the  common  executioner,  during  his  commnnd. 
The  conflict  was  finally  terminated  in  the  triumph  of 
the  seven  northern  united  Belgic  provinces,  nnd  the 
Genevan  system  became  the  established  religion  ; 
wii!i  a  universal  toleration  of  nil  who  obeyed  (he 
goveniment,  and  who  disturbed  not  the  public  tran- 
quil'ity. 

From  that  period,  the  internnl  history  of  the  Dutch 
churches  comprises  no  importa  t  circumstance,  ex- 
cept the  eveiits  connected  with  the  .'"ynod  of  Dorts. 
The  controversy  which  eventually  agitated  the  uni- 
ted provinces,  and  which  so  deeply  i'lterested  all  die 
European  reformed  churches,  origiiiated  with  Ar- 
minius,  at  that  period,  in  the  year  1590.  and  subse- 
quently, theological  professor  at  Leyden.  Ha\  ing 
imbibed  sentiments  at  great  vnrinnce  with  the  Cal- 
vinistic  doctrines  respecting  the  nature  and  subjects 
of  divine  predestination;  the  extent  of  the  Redeem- 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVIII.  3l9 

er's  atonement;  the  elficacy  of  saving  grace,  and 
the  perseverance  of  the  saints  ;  he  resolved  to  pub- 
lish his  newly  adopted  theory.  Those  who  adhered 
to  tlie  ancient  fidth  of  the  reformed  Dutch  church, 
resisted  the  atteinpt  to  disseminate  these  opiiiions; 
the  contest  extended  its  rage,  until  all  the  provinces 
were  enveloped  in  the  combustion.  During  this  pe- 
riod. Arminius  died  ;  but  the  contention  was  prolong- 
ed by  his  disciples,  who,  perceiving  their  exposure 
to  persecution,  as  a  consequence  of  their  departure 
ironi  the  national  fiith,  presented  a  remonstrance  to 
tlie  states,  imploriug  toleration.  This,  with  other  cir- 
cumstances, entwined  national  politics  with  the  ec- 
clesiastical discord.  i\I;*urice,  the  stadtholder  of 
Holland,  widely  differed  from  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential men  in  the  republic;  among  these,  were  Gro- 
tius  and  Barnevedt,  who  were  united  with  the  Armin- 
ians :  nevertheless,  he  endeavoured  to  promote  for- 
bearance and  concord  among  the  disputatious  eccle- 
siastics, and  refused  to  inflict  any  penalties  upon  the 
Remonstrants,  as  they  were  then  denominated  al- 
though a  formal  toleration  was  denied.  Several  con- 
ferences were  held,  and  other  pacific  measures  to 
recoltcile  or  quiet  the  restless  theologians,  were  in 
vain  adopted  ;  until  the  States  General,  dreading  the 
political  consequences  of  this  infernal  fury,  assented 
to  the  request  of  the  Calvinists,  and  convoked  a  na- 
tional Syi'od.  at  Dort,  in  I6l8;  in  which  assembly, 
were  present  deputies  from  the  Belgic  provinces, 
England.  Switzerland,  Hesse,  Bremen,  and  the  Pala- 
tinate. Episcopius,  at  that  period,  profiessor  of  divi- 
nity at  Leyden,  a  man  of  profound  learn-ng  and  great 
capacity,  appeared  to  defend  the  Arminiaiis,and  com- 
menced the  synodical  proceedings  by  an  ingenious, 
tempere^te,  and  elocj^ueot  address.  All  the  objects  for 
which  the  synod  convened,  wee  immediately  after 
excluded;  it  had  been  previously  decided,  that  the 
Remonstrants  should  open  the  conference,  by  evinc- 
ing the  truth  of  the  Arminian  doctrines  from  rea- 
son and  scripture.      Thii  mode  they  rejected,  and 


.^l1()  ecclesiastical  HLSTORY.         LKCTURE  XVf. 

proposed  to  refute  the  Calvinistic  system  prior  to 
the  establisment  of  their  own  articles  of  faith:  this 
order  of  proceeding  was  refused  by  the  sjnoth  upon 
the  general  principle,  that  in  all  controversies,  the 
disputant  is  obliged  to  demonstrate  the  rectitude  of  his 
own  sentiments,  before  he  can  confute  the  opinions 
of  those  who  dissent  from  him.  As  the  .Synod  were 
immovable  in  adhering  to  the  order  which  had  been 
antecedently  prescribed,  and  the  Arminians  were 
unalterably  determined  not  to  comply  with  the  ar- 
langement ;  after  every  expedient  had  been  tried  in 
vain,  to  induce  them  to  exhibit  and  defend  their  own 
sentiments,  as  it  was  impossible  for  the  Synod  to 
proceed  in  the  duties  which  they  were  enjoined  to 
fulfil ;  the  Remonstrants  were  expelled  from  the  Sy- 
nod ;  and  their  writings  being  ai'terwards  examined, 
they  were  declared  "  guilty  of  pestilential  errors, 
and  condemned  as  corrupters  of  the  true  religion." 
Religious  persecution  is  ever  identical.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  decision  of  the  Synod,  the  Arminians 
were  excommunicated,  as  "  enem'cs  of  their  country 
and  of  its  established  religion  ;"  and  all  the  evil  ef- 
fects of  intolerance,  supported  by  the  civil  magis- 
trate, ensued.  From  every  office  of  honour  and 
emolument,  they  were  ejected ;  their  ministers  were 
precluded  from  preaching  ;  and  all  their  congrega- 
tions were  destroyed^  To  these  enactments,  obedi- 
ence was  peremptorily,  and  without  doubt  conscien- 
tiously refused  ;  but  resistance  to  this  ungodly  man- 
date only  augmented  their  vexations  ;  as  ignominy, 
fines,  imprisonment  and  expulsion,  w^ere  successively 
their  allotment.  To  escape  from  these  otherwise 
unavoidable  miseries,  many  of  the  Arminians  migrat- 
ed into  the  neighbouring  states,  and  especially  into 
Holstein  :  but  after  a  few  years  had  elapsed,  Fred- 
eric, the  successor  of  Maurice,  annulled  the  sentence 
of  banishment  ;  invited  the  exiles  to  return  to  Hol- 
land ;  re-established  them  in  their  former  peace, 
honour  and  enjoyments  ;  and  guaranteed  their  secu* 
rity  by  an  unrestricted  toleration. 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  321 

The  Arminians  of  that  period  excited  just  aversion: 
they  proposed  to  enlarge  the  boundaries  of  the 
church  so  as  to  include  all  those  who  simply  assent- 
ed to  tlie  trutii  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  ;  and  it  is  in- 
disputable, that  many  of  them  were  almost  Socinians 
juid  Pelagians.  After  their  toleration,  the  remon- 
strants appaiently  declined,  as  many  ecclesiastics  of 
the  established  church  coalesced  with  them  in  o- 
pinion  ;  while,  in  fact,  their  doctrines  and  spirit  were 
rapidly,  allliouoh  secretly  extending  their  influence. 
From  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century  to  the 
present  era,  the  Reformed  Protestants  in  Holland 
furnish  no  interesting  annals  ;  they  have  preserved 
an  uniformity  of  exterior  features  ;  but  an  insipid 
iormaiily  of  devotion,  a  lukewarm  lifeless  unconcern 
for  vital  godliness,  and  an  indifference  to  evangelical 
truth,  have  generally  pervaded  their  congregations. 
Tliis  aberration  of  theological  sentiment  is  the 
more  remarkable  in  the  Hollanders,  on  account  of 
their  proverbial  identity  and  adhesion  to  antiquated 
prhiciples  and  forms;  and  the  solution  of  the  mys- 
tery can  be  derived  solely  from  the  fact;  that  a  defec- 
tion in  doctrine  has  been  the  prominent  and  unvary- 
ing characteristic  of  all  established  churches.  The 
Lutherans  retain,  at  present,  little  of  their  Founder's 
system  of  divinity  ;  the  modern  clergy  of  the  Epis- 
copal church  of  England  altogether,  and  almost  uni- 
versally deny  their  own  articles  and  the  creed  of  the 
Reformers;  a  large  majority  oPthe  Genevan  Minis- 
ters are  very  little  superior  to  philosophical  infidels  ; 
the  church  of  Holland  has  lost  much  of  its  purity  of 
doctrine;  and  in  Scotland,  the  venom  of  heterodoxy 
lias  diffused  its  malignant  effects,  through  every  part 
of  ''  the  ancient  kirk;"  thus  verifying  all  the  trutli  of 
the  Lord's  declaration,  '•  my  kingdom  is  not  of  this 
world  ;"  and  cautioning  us  against  that  unhallowed, 
impure,  and  debasing  admixture,  which  admits  the 
interference  of  terrestrial  governments  in  the  admin- 
istration of  the  affairs  of  the  church. 
Ill 


322  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LKCTURE  XV!. 

8.  Scotland. — Tlie  insuperable  aversion  of  the  Scotch 
from  the  Papacy,  and   their  equally  ardent  attach- 
ment for  the    Presbyterian  system,  may  be  imputed 
to  two  circumstances  connected  with  the  introduc- 
tion of  the  Protestant  principles  into  that  country. 
The  last  generation  of  Romish  priests  in  Nor{h-P>rit- 
ain  were  renowned  for  perfidy  and  cruelty,  so  invet- 
erate, that  the  record  of  llicir  treacherous  barbarities 
cannot,  even  now,  after  th.c   lapse  of  300  years,    be 
perused  without  the  most  indignant  emotions.  Their 
detestable  enormities  enraged  all  classes  of  the  com- 
monwealth ;     whose    exasperation    was    increased 
by  the  remembrance,  that  all   the  calamities  which 
they    suffered,    were    augmented    by    the     devas- 
tation?   of  a  French  Popish   army   introduced  into 
the  land,  intentionally  to  abridge   their  civic  rights, 
and  also  to  conline  them  in  spiritual  bondage.     Tlie 
nobles  and  grandees  maintained  the  Protestant  cause 
by  military  ibrcc  ;  while  the  mixed  multitudes  razed 
the  altars,   destroyed  the   images,  removed  all   the 
monuments  of  idolatry  from  the  churches,  and  demol- 
ished vast  numbers  of  the  monasteries  ;  acting  upon 
the  oracular  adage  pronounced  by  Knox,  "  the  best 
way  to  keep  the    Rooks  from    returiiing,  is    to  pul! 
down  their  nests."     When  the  French  army   retired 
from  Scotland  in  1560,  the  dismayed  Popish  Priests 
either  accompanied  dio  troops,  their  sole  defenders, 
to  France,  or  irom  timidity  altogether  ceased  to  mum- 
ble their  masses  and  klolatrous  ritual  ;    so   that,  in 
fact,  the  whole  kingdom  was  almost  totally  deprived 
of  the  regular  institutions  of  the  gospel;    for  when 
the  first  Cienevan  Assembly  met,  .5  months  after  the 
treaty  with    France   was   signed,  six  preachers  on- 
ly were  present :    consequently,  the  Protestants  ex- 
perienced no  eflfectual  opposition,  in  universally  es- 
tablishing the  system  which  Knox  had  imbibed  at 
Geneva. 

The  rise  and  progress  of  the  established  church  of 
Scotland  require  a  fiistorical  detail,  in  addition  to  the 
cursory  notice,   which  has  already  been  devoted  to 


CENTURIES  XVI. XVlll.  S23 

that  interesting  topic.  (1)  James  V.,  King  of  Scot- 
land, on  account  oi'his  partiality  to  the  popish  eccle- 
siastics, zealously  persecuted  the  reformed  ;  asui  the 
inquisitorial  fires  were  universally  kindled,  i^atrick 
Hamilton  was  honored  by  God,  as  the  instrument  to 
introduce  the  principles  of  the  RelbrmatioB  ;  and  in 
the  24th  year  of  his  age,  lo27,  he  became  the  Scotch 
proto-martyr;  "  l]is  youth,  learning,  virtue,  magna- 
nimity, and  sufferings  excited  the  strongest  attach- 
ments of  the  people.  Alexander  Campbell  having 
insulted  him  at  the  stake  to  which  he  was  bound,  in 
readi'iess  for  the  fire  ;  he  reminded  him  of  his  traitor- 
ous duplicity,  and  solemnly  cited  him  to  answer  be- 
fore the  judgment  seat  of  Christ ;  the  persecutor,  a 
few  days  after,  having  been  sozed  wilh  madness, 
died;  to  the  entire  conviction  of  the  witnesses,  that 
Hjxmilton  was  innocent  and  consumed  for  the  truth." 
General  indignation  pervaded  the  whole  kingdom  ; 
and  the  reformed  multiplied  with  astonishing  celerity. 
Seton,  the  king's  confessor,  himself  a  Papist,  boldly 
propagated,  that  "  not  one  true  and  faithful  Bishop 
existed  in  Scotland;"  but  for  the  sake  of  his  person- 
al safety,  he  was  obliged  to  depart  from  the  kingdom. 
In  1533,  Henry  Forrest  was  burnt  for  declaring  that 
"  Hamilton  was  a  pious  martyr,  and  that  his  principles 
were  defensible."  In  addition  to  this  abominable  her- 
esy, he  owned  a  Nev/  Testament  in  the  English  lan- 
guage. 

In  1539,  Russeland  Kennedy  were  burnt  at  Glas- 
gow, the  latter  being  net  IS  years  of  age  ;  just  before 
the  fire  was  kindled,  Kennedy,  having  been  encour- 
aged by  Russel,  uttered  his  triumph  over  mortality 
in  this  transporting  language :  "  Now,  i  am  ready,  I 
praise  my  God ;  Death,  I  defy  thee." 

Beaton,  the  Cardinal  primate  of  Scotland,  was  an 
insolent,  perfidious  ecclesiabtic  ;  without  justice  or 
pity;  inordinately  haughty;  inhuman,  crafty,  super- 
stitious and  profligate.  By  him  a  court  of  Inquisition 
was  established,  and  Hamilton,  an  ambitious,  blood- 

(1.)  Appendix  XV, 


324  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIISTOKV.  LECTURE  XVf. 

thirsty  monster,  was  appointed  to  frupcrintend  ils 
transactions;  whose  sanguinary  assiduity  would  soon 
have  tilled  all  the  prisons  in  the  kingdom,  with  the 
noble,  the  opulent,  and  the  more  enlightened  among 
the  Pfotestants  ;  hut  in  the  midst  ol"  all  his  fancied 
successtul  mischief,  he  was  indicted  for  a  conspiracy 
to  assassinate  the  King  :  aud  Hamilton  died  as  a 
traitor.  "  From  the  year  1  r)40  to  the  end  of  l.'J12. 
the  numbers  of  the  rei'ormed  rapidly  increased.  The 
clergy  twice  att-empted  to  destroy  them  by  one  acl. 
They  presented  to  James,  a  list  of  some  hundreds  of 
persons  of  wealth  and  dignity,  whom  they  denounced 
as  heretics;  and  endeavoured  to  procure  their  slaugh- 
ter, by  enumerating  the  immense  wealth  which  he 
might  thus  confiscate.  So  \iolent  was  h's  antipathy 
against  the  nobles,  and  so  completely  was  he  inllu- 
enced  by  the  clergy,"  that  his  own  miserable  death 
alone,  probably  obstructed  the  consummation  of  their 
execrable  design. 

As  Mary,  his  daughter,  was  a  child,  the  Regency 
of  the  kingdom  was  transferred  to  the  earl  of  Arran, 
a  Protestant,  who  encouraged  the  Preachers  to  de- 
nounce the  Pope's  supremacy,  image-worship,  and 
the  invocation  of  saints  ;  the  beneficial  eflecfs  of 
which  were  inconceivably  promoted  by  a  law,  which 
was  enacted  at  the  same  period  ;  that  the  Bible 
should  be  dispersed  in  the  vulgar  tongue,  and  that 
no  guilt  should  attach  to  tlie  possession  and  perusal 
of  the  sacred  scriptures. 

New  measures  to  persecute  the  reformed  were 
devised  ;  but  the  political  commotions  in  a  great  de- 
gree impeded  the  execution  of  the  Cardinal's  con- 
trivances until  the  year  1544;  when  Beaton  entered 
Peith,  and  commenced  his  inquisitorial  career  by  the 
most  abhorrent  murders.  The  aggravation  produced 
by  the  slaughter  of  persons  of  inferior  rank,  was  in- 
flamed to  the  highest  degree,  by  the  deliberate,  inde- 
cent and  ap|)alling  barbarities,  M'hich  attended  the 
seizure,  trial,  condemnation  and  burning  of  George 
Wishart,   the  most  learned    and  eminent  preacher 


CJENTURIES    XVI. XVIII.'  325 

whom  the  Scotch  reformed  had  then  heard.  The  cardi- 
iial,  with  the  inferior  prelates  exalted  in  a  balcony  of 
the  tower  belonjring  to  the  castle,  insolently  triumph- 
ed over  the  suffering  martyr  ;  neither  feeling  their 
own  inhumanity,  nor  comprehending  the  value  of  a 
magnanimous  christian.  This,  it  is  supposed,  affect- 
ed even  the  superiority  of  the  saint  ;  for  in  the  midst 
of  his  mortal  agonies,  he  declared  that  "  his  liaughty 
enemy  would  perish  in  a  few  days,  and  be  ignomini- 
ously  exposed  in  the  place  which  he  theo  so  pom- 
ously  occu])ied."  The  prediction  was  fulfilled  ;  al- 
most immediately  after  the  martyr's  exit  to  Paradise^ 
a  conspiracy  was  formed  against  Beaton,  his  castle 
was  captured,  himself  immediately  assassinated,  and 
as  the  excluded  adherents  of  the  Cardinal  were  anx- 
ious to  behold  him,  they  who  slew  him,  suspended 
his  corpse  from  the  identical  place,  where  he  had  so 
shortly  previous  exulted  in  the  inconceivable  tortures 
of  the  consuming  Wishart. 

In  continual  vicissitude  the  Protestant  cause  waver- 
ed, during  the  civil  dissensions  which  afflicted  Scot- 
land ;  although  the  truth  probably  acquired  more  sta- 
bihty,  yet  the  reformed  professors  of  it  experienced 
a  great  variety  of  persecution.  At  length,  in  1557, 
the  first  covenant  was  formed,  by  which,  all  those 
who  adhered  to  it,  renounced  idolatry,  and  devoted 
themselves  to  establish  the  pure  word  of  God,  The 
confiagration  of  Walter  Mill  decided  the  dubious  and 
the  hesitating;  the  horror  was  so  inexpressible  and 
universal,  that  it  was  evident,  nothing  less  than  the 
extirpation  of  the  popish  authority,  or  of  the  Reform- 
ed principles,  could  restore  harmony  to  the  nation. 
As  the  emergency  of  affairs  required,  one  covenant 
succeeded  another,  until  the  Protestant  power  be- 
came so  strong,  that  the  Romish  party  and  the  French 
army  who  had  been  transported  to  Scotland  to  up- 
hold the  expiring  hierarchy,  both  being  totally  de- 
feated,consented  in  1560  to  withdraw  from  the  realm. 
Immediately  after  this  triumph,  the  legislature  as- 
sembled ;  and  without  delay,  rejected  the  Pope's  an- 


326  FXCLF.SIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECT'JRE  XV.. 

thoritj',  confinned  the  reformed  confession  of  faith, 
and  abolished  tlic  idolatrous  worship.  These  meas- 
ures liaviiig  been  legahzed,  an  addilionc«.l  act  of  Par- 
liament was  passed,  by  uhich  '^  every  meiiiorial  of 
Popery  whatsoever  found  in  the  kingdom  was  com- 
manded to  be  finally  overthrown  and  demoHshed." 

The  civil  distractions  which  agitated  Scotland, 
during  many  years,  produced  no  material  edect  in- 
jurious to  the  cause  of  the  Reformation:  the  extinc- 
tion of  Popery  had  been  so  complete,  and  the  nation- 
al enthusiasm  was  so  fervid,  that  the  papists  scarcely 
attempted  to  display  their  superstitions.  A  remark- 
nble  innovation,  however,  was  introduced  into  the 
kingdom  in  the  midst  of  these  tumults  ;  the  substitu- 
tion of  Episcopacy  for  the  Presbyterian  system  ;  but 
as  this  change  Was  obviously  the  result  of  a  combina- 
tion, between  some  of  the  nobihty  and  their  syco- 
phantic ecclesiastical  adherents,  that  the  former 
might  possess  the  ancient  revenues  of  the  pap;icy, 
and  the  latter  the  honours  which  the  dignified  Monks 
had  enjoyed,  it  w^as  universally  disapproved,  and 
these  successors  of  Pope  Hell-brand  were  continual 
subjects  of  reproach,  contempt  and  ridicule. 

James  VL  having  assumed  the  government  of  Scot- 
land, commanded  all  tiie  ministers  to  acknowledge 
the  king's  ecclesiastical  supremacy,  and  to  submit 
to  the  episcopal  jurisdiction. 

This  edict  filled  every  district  of  the  land  with  the 
most  violent  disputations.  The  disciples  of  Knox 
peremptorily  refused  a  compliance  with  the  king's 
injunction  ;  and  contended,  that  to  admit  the  king  to 
be  head  of  the  church  was  exalting  a  new^  Pope,  and 
higii  treason  against  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  that  to  ac- 
knowledge the  episcopacy,  w^ould  destroy  the  influ- 
ence and  sway  of  religion  and  the  gospel.  This  fiery 
collision  of  opinion  and  action  existed  during  the 
whole  of  James'  reign.  After  Elizabeth's  death,  he 
was  also  enthroned  King  of  England  ;  and  his  addi- 
tional power  augmented  his  acrimonious  vehemence 
against   the  Presbyterians   and   Purilans,  who  were 


CKNTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  327 

invincibly  altachrd  to  the  cause  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty;  and  increased  his  partiahty  for  the  Episco- 
paliaiis  and  Papists,  who  maintained  his  amplest 
claims  to  despotic  prerogatives. 

At  an  early  period  after  he  commenced  his  reigii 
over  the  hvo  kingdoms,  he  resolved  to  establish  the 
episcopacy  in  Scotland,  and  visited  his  native  coan- 
try  for  this  avowel  purpose ;  but  every  effort  was  a- 
borrive.  All  the  royal  authority,  menaces,  flatterf, 
and  coercion,  were  inetlicient,  either  to  procure  a  sifi- 
gle  admission  of  principle,  that  he,  as  king,  was  in- 
vested with  any  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  ;  or  the 
introduction  of  the  most  insignificant  ceremony  in- 
corporated in  the  English  Episcopal  ritual.  The 
result  was  the  same  in  bolh  countries;  additional 
obstinacy  in  adhering  to  their  opinions  on  the  part  of 
the  Puritans  and  Presbyterians  ;  and  perfect  disgust 
with  a  monarch,  who  displayed  in  equal  proportions, 
puerile  versatility,  and  mental  weakness,  and  tyran- 
nic  arrogance. 

The  church  of  Scotland  continued  in  this  feverisfi 
state  of  discontent,  until  Charles  I.  who  had  oscended 
the  throne  on  the  death  of  his  father  James,  issued 
in  163.5,  a  bull  of  canons  appointing  re-settlement  of 
the  bishoprics  in  Scotland.  Twoyearsnfter  anattempt 
was  made  to  introduce  and  read  Laud's  popish  Lit- 
urgy in  the  ancient  cathedral  church  of  Edinburgh; 
but  the  tumult  which  it  produced,  evinced  that  a  re- 
])etition  of  the  experiment  would  be  dangerous  to 
the  innovators.  A  universal  combination  against  the 
royal  aiid  episcopal  measures  was  instantaneoosij 
formed  ;  which  Kav^ng  assumed  all  the  consisterscy 
of  an  open  and  rcgul  :  insurrection,  issued  their 
comma])ds  which  were  constantly  obeyed,  and  the 
celebrated  Covenant  was  Grsacted  ;  by  this  compact, 
popery  and  episcopacy  were  renounced;  and  to  if, 
was  superadded  a  bond  of  union,  which  obliged  the 
subscribers  to  mcintain  tlieir  cause,  against  all  oppo- 
sition ai'd  to  the  last  extremity.  Charles  alarmed  at 
this  resistance,  sent  a  commissioner  to  the  covenant- 


328  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORV.  LECTURE    XVl. 

ers,  who  proposed,  to  suspend  tlie  operation  of  the 
royal  canons  and  popish  liturgy,  and  to  remove  the 
*•  iiigh  conimis'sion,"  or  bastard  court  of  inquisition  ; 
provided,  that  the  Scotch  annulled  their  covenant. 
The  covenanters  sternly  and  scornfully  replied,  thai 
they  should  prefer  a  renunciation  ot  their  baptism  : 
and  solemnly  invited  the  King's  deputy  himself  to  ra- 
tify their  engagements.  Bailled  in  a^  his  arbitrary 
measures,  Charles  iinally  summoned  an  assembly  and 
parliament,  for  the  redress  of  national  grievances  and 
the  restoration  of  general  harmony.  A  counter  cov- 
enant was  also  dispersed  by  Charles  and  his  papis- 
tical adherents,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  dividing  the 
Reformed,  but  it  was  received  with  equal  contempt 
and  detestation. 

The  Assembly  was  convened  in  1638.  Tiie  Bisli- 
ops  were  accused  of  every  species  of  criminality; 
all  the  acts  of  the  previous  Assemblies  and  Parlia- 
ments in  favor  of  episcopacy  were  declared  null  and 
void  r  and  the  universal  signature  of  the  covenant 
was  enjoined  with  the  menace  of  excommunication 
for  disobedience.  At  this  juncture,  Charles  having 
resolved  to  enforce  subjection,  levied  a  large  army  : 
but  when  he  arrived  upon  the  borders  of  Scotland, 
he  consented  to  a  peace,  and  the  convocation  of  a- 
riother  ecclesiastical  assembly  and  parliament.  The 
former  instantly  proclaimed  "  episcopacy  illegal  in 
the  church  of  Scotland  ;  the. canons  and  liturgy  were 
stigmatized  as  popish  ;  and  the  high  commission 
court  was  denounced  as  a  tyrannical  Inquisition." 
The  parliament  were  engaged  in  diminishing  tlie 
power  of  the  monarch,  and  in  ratifying  the  decisions 
of  the  assembly  ;  when  the  king  suddenly  dissolved 
their  sessioii,  and  the  contest  was  recommenced. 

Impelled  by  circumstances,  in  1641,  Charles  abol- 
ished the  episcopacy  in  Scotland  ;  and  exce{>t  the 
agitations  produced  by  the  civil  tumults  in  England, 
the  nation  enjoyed  comparative  peace.  After  the  war 
between  Charles  aud  the  ParHament  had  existed 
during  nearly  two  years,  the  Puritans  implored  tUc 


GENTL^HffiS    XVI. XVlJl.  3^9 

assistance  of  the  Scotch;  the  result  of  this  confede- 
racy was  the  sole?)!}!  league  and  covenant^  which  effaced 
all  prior  obligations,  and  retained  its  authority,  until 
the  union  of  the  two  kingdoms  rendered  the  provi- 
sions of  that  famous  instrument  nugatory. 

The  presbjterian  system  triumphed  during  the 
protectorate  of  Cromwell;  but  immediately  after 
Charles  II.  occupied  the  throne,  in  1660,  a  more  vio- 
lent attempt  was  made  to  introduce  episcopacy  into 
Scotland,  than  had  previously  been  exhibited. — ■ 
Fiom  this  period,  every  species  of  malignant  torture 
was  experienced  by  the  inoffensive  covenanters. — 
Sharpe  was  their  deputy  to  complain  to  the  king  of 
their  miseries,  and  to  procure  some  alleviation  of 
their  distress;  that  unprincipled  brother  of  Judas 
betrayed  his  constituents,  and  for  his  treachery,  was 
rewarded  with  the  pomp,  dignity  and  opulence  of  an 
archbishop.  His  relentless  enmity  was  unbounded  ; 
ten  were  gibbeted  together  in  Edinburg ;  many  were 
hanged  at  the  doors  of  their  own  habitations ;  and 
all  these  murders  were  perpetrated  solely  because 
these  harmless  sheep  wouM  not  renounce  the  cove- 
nant. Charles  himself,  was  eventually  induced  to  com- 
mand that  the  incorrigible,  those  who  obstinately  ad- 
hered to  the  covenant  should  be  transported  to  the 
distant  colonies.  This  order  was  transmitted  to 
Sharpe,  and  by  him  secreted.  Amid  these  persecu- 
tions, it  had  been  customary  to  inflict  upon  those 
christians,  the  utmost  severity  of  excruciation,  that 
they  might  be  coerced  to  acknowledge  as  false,  that 
which  they  believed  and  knew  to  be  true.  Hugh  Mac- 
cail  was  thus  tortured ;  and  so  excessive  were  his  an- 
guish and  laceration,  that  he  expired  under  the  handg 
of  his  tormentors.  He  died  in  an  ecstacy  ofjoy  and 
christian  triumph)  uttering  his  tinal  expressions  with 
an  accent,  M'hich  filled  all  his  auditors  with  the  ut- 
most astonishment. — "  Farewell  !  sun,  moon,  and 
stars — farewell  !  world  and  time — farewell !  weak 
frail  body— welcome,  eternity  !--welcome,  angels  and 
saints  ! — welcome,  Saviour  of  the  world  ! — and  wel- 
2    S 


33d  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XV*. 

come,  God  the  judge  oi'all  !*' — Blessed  arc  the  dead  7cho 
die  ill  the  Lord  ! 

These  measures  were  speedily  after  exchanged 
for  an  indulgence  ;  bui.  the  people  rejected  the  bribe; 
and-  usually  met  in  arms  for  divine  worship ;  it  was 
therefore  resolved  again  to  coerce  submission  to  the 
episcopal  jurisdiction  by  royal  authority.  By  ai*  ju- 
cient  gothic  enactment,  any  person  who  was  accused 
of  crime,  that  did  not  appear  for  triftl,  inigiit  be 
publicly  outlawed  ;  and  all  who  held  intercourse 
with  iiim  were  subject  to  the  same  penalties  as  the 
delinquent,  if  guilty.  This  atrocious  regulation  was 
enforced  against  the  covenanters;  so  that  crimes, 
punishments  and  miseries  were  extensively  and  in- 
definitely multiplied. 

The  rage  produced  by  these  unintermitting  wos, 
at  length  was  effused  upon  tht-  malignant  renegado, 
Sharpe,  who  was  deliberately  murdered  in  11579;  in 
consecjuence  of  which,  the  covenanters  experienced 
a  more  serious  persecution,  that  provoked  them  to 
a  second  insurrection.  Intestine  war,  with  all  the 
additional  calamities  of  religious  opposition,  was 
continued  with  temporary  intermissions  until  the  ab- 
dication of  James;  after  which  the  Presbyterian  sys- 
tem resumed  its  unrestricted  domination;  and  has 
hitherto  maintained  its  pre-eminence  in  that  portion 
of  the  British  isle  ;  for  the  first  parliment  which  met 
after  the  revolution  in  1688,  abolished  the  prelacy 
and  the  kiisg's  ecclesiastical  jurisdiction  ;  ratified  the 
Westminster  confession  of  iaith  and  Presbyterian 
form  of  government  and  dicipline;  extirpated  patro- 
nage; and  transferred  the  election  of  ministers  to 
the  heriiorsand  elders,  with  the  consent  of  the  con- 
gregations. 

From  the  reformation  to  the  peace  made  at  this 
ppriod,  the  church  of  Scotland  had  enjoyed  but  few 
intervals  of  real  tratHjuillity.  When  not  in  a  state  of 
actual  conflict  with  the  civil  rulers  who  wished  to 
deprive  her  of  her  existence  or  her  power,  her  situ- 
ation was  so  precarious,  as  to  produce  a  constant 


CENTURIES    XVI.— XVUI.  3-31 

alarm :  but  her  internal  and  spiritual  condition 
appears  now  to  have  been  exceedingly  prosperous  ;  it 
is  asserted  by  some  to  have  excelled  every  former  pe- 
riod in  the  number  of  devoted,  active,  and  zealous 
pastors,  and  in  the  superior  measures  of  knowledge 
and  ;>iety  among  the  people. 

If  we  form  to  ourselves  the  pleasing  representa- 
tion of  the  humble  presbyters  of  the  Scottish  church, 
labouring  with  assiduity  and  perseverance  among 
their  docks  in  prea^cl^ing,  catechising,  and  pastoral 
visits  ;  and  multitudes  under  their  care  imbibing 
divine  knowledge  and  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and 
adornir,'^-  their  christian  profession  by  a  holy  life,  we 
shall  have  a  full  idea  of  what  was  taking  place  during 
the  early  part  of  this  period,  in  hundreds  of  parishes 
and  among  ten  thousands  of  the  people.  But  peace 
has  its  ieraptations  wh^.ch  were  powerfully  felt,  and 
proved  greatly  injurious  to  the  purity  and  prosperity 
©f  this  highly  favoured   church. 

For  however  favourable  the  exiernal  state  of  a 
community  may  be,  events  will  occur  to  caibitter  the 
sweets  of  life,  and  to  furnish  trials  to  the  wise  and 
good.  Such  was  the  effect  of  a  measure  needlessly 
adopted  by  the  British  government  in  the  end  of 
queen  Anne's  reign.  The  oath  of  abjuration,  which 
at  the  union  had  been  required  of  Scotchmen  in  civil 
offices,  was  in  1712  imposed  on  the  clergy,  under  a 
penalty  which  involved  their  utter  ruin.  Not  one  of 
the  body  was  disaffected  to  the  existing  government; 
but  many  of  them  were  enemies  to  an  oath  except  in 
cases  of  absolute  necessity;  and  some  scrupled  at  par- 
ticular clauses  as  binding  them  to  express  their  ap- 
probation and  support  of  episcopacy,  and  prevent- 
ing them  from  seeking  the  farther  reformation  of  the 
land.  So  widely  were  these  sentiments  extended, 
that  more  than  a  third  part  of  the  ministers  refused 
to  comply  with  the  requisition  of  government,  and 
became  liable  to  a  penalty  of  five  hundred  pounds, 
a  sum  which  perhaps  not  fifty  of  the  whole  body  would 
have  been  able  to  pay.     In  this  distressing  situation, 


332  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVI. 

thrust  out  of  the  protection  of  the  law,  these  nonju- 
rors remained  from  year  to  year.  In  1715.  and  again 
four  years  after  in  1719,  the  subject  was  brought  for- 
ward, and  the  oath  with  certain  alterations  coninian- 
ded  to  be  enforced.  The  stern  principles  of  tlie  old 
presbyterians,  dictated  by  conscience,  relbsed  to 
comply ;  and  they  continued  to  the  day  of  their  denth, 
discharging  the  duties  of  their  office  with  the  naked 
sword  of  the  law  hanging  over  their  heads. 

Another  evil  effect  of  tlie  oath  was,  that  between 
the  ministers  who  submitted  to  it,  and  tliose  who  re- 
fused it,  not  only  coldness,  but  an  alienation  of  heart 
was  produced;  and  at  one  time  but  for  the  wisdom 
of  principal  Carstairs,  a  schism  was  likely  to  have 
taken  place  in  the  Scottish  church.  The  people  too 
entered  into  the  subject  w^ith  the  ardour  characteris- 
tic of  Scotchmen  in  disputes  pertaining  to  religion. 
Being  in  general  hostile  to  the  oath  and  its  adherents, 
they  viewed  with  suspicion  and  dislike  many  excel- 
lent men  because  they  were  on  the  opposite  side.*' 

The  Tory  administration  of  Q,uee  Annne,  also 
resenting  the  attachment  of  the  Scotch  to  the  fti- 
mily  of  Hanover,  upon  whom  the  hereditary  title  to 
the  throne  devolved,  revived  the  old  Lw  of  patro- 
nage ;  by  which  under  certain  prerogatives  inhe- 
rent to  the  possession  of  the  lands,  the  principal 
proprietors  of  the  soil  were  empowered  to  introduce 
any  minister  at  their  option,  without  the  choice  and 
against  the  consent  of  the  congregation.  This  regu- 
lation eventually  produced  the  Secession.     2. 

About  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century,  Scot- 
land exhibited  the  marrow  of  ecclesiastical  history — 
an  extensive  revival  of  religion,  which  took  place 
within  the  bosom  of  the  church.  After  a  long  sea- 
son of  comparative  inefficacy,  in  which  nnnisters 
complained  that  they  had  laboured  in  vain,  a  spirit 
of  attention  to  divine  truth  was  excited  through 
different  parts  of  the  country  in  an  extraordinary- 
degree  ;    and    multitudes  who  had   been   walking 

2.  Appendix  XVI. 


CENTURIES  XVI. XVIll.  333 

according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  were  convert- 
ed by  the  preaching  of  the  gospel. 

This  revival  first  appeared  in  1745,  at  Cambers- 
lang,  a  village  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Glasgow. 
During  a  course  of  sermons  on  the  doctrine  of  rege- 
neration by  Mr.  MCulloch,  the  minister  of  the  pa- 
rish, the  people  began  to  be  impressed  in  an  unusual 
manner  and  degree ;  religion  occupied  their  whole 
attention;  they  were  convinced  that  they  had  not 
been  regenerated,  and  with  the  most  painful  anxiety 
of  soul  they  inquired,  "  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved." 
Seasons  of  worship  were  immediately  multiplied  ; 
and  the  minister's  time  was  occupied  from  morning 
to  niglit  in  giving  spiritual  counsel  to  his  awakened 
flock  The  consequences  were  infinitely  delightful: 
in  the  space  of  a  few  months,  300  persons  displayed 
unequivocal  evidences  of  the  christian  life  ;  nor  did 
future  years  give  occasion  to  object,  that  it  was  a 
transitory  emotion  of  religious  feeling;  for  the  gene- 
rality of  them  continued  faithful  unto  death.  The 
divine  flame  spread  from  place  to  place,  and  the 
most  zealous  ministers,  in  different  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, had  the  joy  of  seeing  'n  their  own  parishes  the 
same  spirit  of  revival,  though  scarcely  any  in  an  e- 
qual  degree.  Mr.  Whitfield  who  soon  after  visited 
Scotland,  contributed  by  his  powerful  labours  to 
promote  the  glorious  cause. 

While  the  friends  of  religion  rejoiced  in  this  re- 
markable display  of  divine  grace,  it  was  violently 
decried  and  attacked  by  many  of  the  clergy,  as  the 
quintessence  of  enthusiasm  and  folly.  They  spoke 
and  wrote  against  it ;  they  warned  the  people  against 
its  baleful  influence,  and  displayed  a  zeal  scarcely 
inferior  to  that  of  its  friends  who  believed  it  to  be  the 
work  of  God.  In  every  revival  of  religion  a  similar 
spirit  has  been  exhibited ;  the  cause  of  vital  piety, 
however,  was  not  left  without  defenders. 

Unhappily  the  seceders,  from  whom  better  things 
might  have  been  expected,  vehemently  opposed  the 
work,  publicly  testified  against  it  as  a  delusion  of 


3;J4  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVI. 

the  devil,  and  appointed  a  day  of  fiisting  and  pr;iyer 
that  by  the  interposition  of  heaven  it  misciit  cr'  »se. 
They  conceived  tliat  if  any  great  vvorJt  of  relia;ion 
was  to  be  accomplished  in  Scotland,  it  must  be  by 
them ;  and  because  this  revival  had  not  taken  place 
in  their  communion  it  could  not  be  from  above.  Their 
conduct  on  this  occasion  gave  great  offence  aiid 
contributed  to  degrade  them  exceeedingly  in  the  eyes 
of  those  who  had  formerly  viewed  them  witji  high 
esteem.  When  the  gospci  is  preached  in  its  purity, 
the  Spirit  of  God  demonstrates  by  the  influence  with 
which  it  is  accompanied,  that  he  does  not  lay  so 
much  stress  upon  the  peculiarities  of  an  external 
system  as  its  votaries." 

It  is  requisite  only  to  subjoin;  that  notwithstanding 
these  defects  which  have  bren  enumerated  ;  in  lu- 
minous theology,  moral  purity,  spiritual  fervour  and 
doctrinal  orthodoxy,  the  churches  of  Scotland  shine 
pre-eminent  among  the  reformed  Protestants  ;  3. 
and  although  they  have  not  escaped  the  contagion 
infused  by  worldly  associations,  and  the  chilling  infi- 
delity so  predominant  throughout  the  last  century  ; 
still  they  concentrate  a  considerable  portion  of"  the 
light  of  the  world,"  and  have  always  been  a  •'  city  set 
on  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid" — esto  perpdua.     Amen. 

3.  Appendix  XVII. 


THEOLOGICAL  CONTROVERSIES. 


From  the  fall  of  man,  the  world  has  been  the  thea^ 
tre  of  contention;  and  the  permanence  of  strife  to  the 
present  day,  not  only  among  nations,  but  between 
families  and  individuals,  proclaims  the  lamentable 
depravity  of  human  nature.  If  the  church  betrays 
the  same  spirit,  we  are  not  to  wonder ;  for  some  who 
make  a  profession  of  religion  are  still  under  the  da- 
minion  of  evil  dispositions,  and  have  nothing  of  Chris- 
tianity but  the  name  and  the  external  garb;  while 
others,  the  sincere  disciples  of  Christ,  exhibit  the  too 
evident  remains  of  imperfectioiL  There  are,  per- 
haps, but  two  states  of  the  church  from  which  con- 
troversy will  be  entirely  excluded  :  the  one  is,  that 
of  extreme  ioi^orance,  in  which  men  have  neither 
talents  nor  knowledge  to  dispute :  the  other  is  that 
of  tiie  redeemed  in  heaven,  in  which  they  shall  all 
be  perfect  in  knowledge.  Whether  it  will  be  so  in 
the  milleiiium.  admits  of  no  decision,  till  the  children 
of  that  favoured  age  arrive  in  heaven,  and  inform 
their  elder  brethren  of  the  spirit  and  pursuits  of 
those  whom  lliey  left  behind  on  earth.  Till  that 
timf\  controversies  will  continue  :  we  may,  however, 
assert,  that  in  proportion  to  the  prevalence  of  truth 
and  piety,  the  number  will  decrease.  But  it  may  be 
laid  down  as  a  general  rule  sp.nctioned  by  the  scrip- 
tures, and  confirmed  by  reason,  that  wherever  an 
important  doctrine  of  the  gospel  is  perverted  or 
denied,  it  is  not  only  lawful,  but  a  duty  of  no  mean 
raiik  to  stand  up  in  its  defence.'' 

1  he  diversified  collisions  of  opinion,  which  have 
resulted  from  the  freedom  of  thought  engendered  by 
Ih^  reformation  are  of  the  utmost  interest  and  impor- 
tance, because  they  have  ordinarily  been  the  founda- 


336  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XVII. 

tion,  upon  which  some  new  denomination  of  chris- 
tians has  erected  its  standard.  It  is  desirahlc  there- 
fore, to  develope  the  essential  topics  which  consti- 
tute the  barriers  between  the  discordant  sects,  prior 
to  a  dehiieation  of  their  progress  and  present  state. 
Two  oi  the  distinctive  subjects  of  contention  are  re- 
vived from  the  sepulchre  of  antiquity,  and  tv,  o  are 
peculiarly  modern  ;  yet  under  these  four  divisions, 
a  few  non-descripts  excepted,  may  be  classified 
nearly  all  the  predominant  dissentients.  The  former 
comprize  the  fundamental  inquiry  respecting  the 
person  of  Jesus  Christ,  involving  the  disputed  j)oints 
between  the  Arians,  Socinians,  Unitarians,  and  the 
christian  worshippers  of  Immanuel ;  and  the  inexpli- 
cable mysteries  connected  with  the  prescience  of  God 
and  the  responsibility  of  man,  ordinarily  designated 
as  the  Calvinistic  or  Arminian  controversy  :  the  lat- 
ter include,  the  various  modes  of  church  gvernment, 
or  rather  the  reasons  of  dissent  from  the  Episcopacy ; 
and  the  dispute  upon  the  mode  and  subjects  of  bap- 
tism. Without  an  accurate  understanding  of"  the 
various  subjects  of  debate  involved  in  each  of  these 
general  divisions,  themoderij  history  of  Christianity 
is  a  perfect  chaos  ;  and  the  large  number  of  different 
sects  is  an  inextricable  enigma. 

A  controversy  of  essential  importance  has  been 
prolonged  during  a  considerable  part  of  the  period 
since  the  reformation,  relative  to  the  celestial  au- 
thority of  the  sac.r;-d  v:icripUires.  This  is  thr?  contest 
between  the  infidel  rejection  of  revealed  truth,  and 
a  confidential  subjection  to  that  which  God  com- 
mands. Christian  faith  has  been  assaulted  nith  eve- 
ry possible  weapon ;  the  malignity  of  ridicule,  the 
farce  of  caricature,  the  array  oif' pretended  facts,  and 
the  sophistry  of  false  reasoning,  have  all  been  disphiy- 
ed  in  every  diversified  form  against  the  rock  upon 
which  Christ  has  built  his  church;  but  the  puny  wit- 
less efforts  of  the  assailants  have  only  recoiled  upon 
themselves ;  they  being  similar  in  wisdom  to  him, 
who  discharges  his  pistol  against  the  adamant,  which 


CENTURIES    XVI. XV II I.  337 

lepels  the  bullet  to  the  injury  or  destruction  of  him 
bj  whom  it  is  fired. 

During  the  greater  part  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
the  machinations  of  the  opponents  of  the  Most  Hio;h, 
were  incessantly  developed  in  all  their  force  and 
acrimony.  The  volcano  burst  in  the  French  revolu- 
tion, and  illustrated  the  divine  origin,  the  efficacy, 
the  importance,  and  the  permanency  of  the  Christian 
system,  so  as  to  supersede  al!  future  caril  or  dispu- 
tation. All  that  natural  geiiius,  acquired  learning, 
unequalled  artifice,  paramount  corruption,  ceaseless 
falsehood,  and  infernal  enmity  combined  with  resist- 
less human  power  could  attain,  was  effected  ;  but 
the  triumph  of  the  Destructionists  was  short,  and  of 
no  more  stability  and  duration,  than  '•  the  crackling 
of  thorns  under  a  pot:"  so  that  the  preteH>i  ;ns  otan 
infidel  are  only  remembered  with  horror;  a;  id  if  now 
professed,  solely  excite  commiseration,  and  inquiry, 
what  is  the  reason  that  the  Blasphemer  is  permitted 
to  roam  beyond  the  guardianship  of  his  keepers  or 
physicians  ?  Among  all  the  catalogues  of  sinners, 
to  the  Sceptics  may  be  peculiarly  appropriated,  two 
declarations  of  the  wisest  of  men — "  I  saw  the  wick- 
ed buried,  who  had  come  and  gone  from  the  place  of 
the  holy,  and  they  were  forgotten  in  the  city  where 
they  had  so  done ;  for  the  name  of  the  wicked  shall 
rot." 

The  following  delineation  of  the  Infidels  ancl  their 
principles  is  necessary,  merely  as  a  beacon  to  warn 
the  thoughtless  from  the  shoals  on  which  so  many 
have  been  wrecked  and  destroyed. 

"  Ignorance  of  the  nature  and  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity is  a  general  characteristic  of  the  deists,  and  it 
may  be  asserted,  that  few  among  them  understood 
the  gospel  sufficiently  to  be  able  to  form  a  rational 
judgment  whether  it  was  good  or  bad,  or  of  its  evi- 
dence to  know  whether  it  was  true  or  false.  Upon 
any  other  topic,  men,  who  had  written  against  a 
science  of  which  they  had  so  little  knowledge  would 
kave  appeared  ridiculous,  and  have  been  ashamed  to 
2  T 


338  ECCLESIASTICAL    IIISTQRY.  LECTURE  XVI i. 

hold  up  their  face  before  society.  But  the  nature  of 
their  subject,  the  scope  of  their  writings,  nnd  the 
facihty  they  gave  for  the  indulgence  of  every  appe- 
tite and  passion,  have  procured  not  indulgence  only 
but  favour. 

The  enemy  of  human  happlnes  has  obtained  cur- 
rency to  a  maxim  on  the  subject  of  religion,  -which  i^ 
not  allowed  on  ar.y  other.  If  a  person  has  not  studied 
languages  or  sciences,  he  does  not  profess  to  under- 
stand them,  and  he  acknowledges  his  ignorance. 
But  without  having  studied  religion;  he  thinks  that 
he  understands  what  religion  is,  and  that  he  is  qua- 
lified to  speak,  to  argue,  to  judge,  to  decide, 
and  to  write  upon  the  subject.  How  he  will 
write  may  be  easily  conceived,  and  may  be  seen  in 
the  books  of  the  deists,  who  for  (he  mostpart  under- 
stood as  little  of  the  principles  ofthe  gospel  of  Christ, 
as  tlicy  did  ofthe  lajjguage  of  the  Chinese. 

'^  The  sentinieF)ts  and  temper,  which  the  writings 
ofthe  deists  exhibit,  give  the  attentive  reader  but 
toojust  cause  to  conclude  that  Ciu'istianity  was  too 
good  for  them,  and  that  they  wished  for  a  religion 
which  would  be  more  indulgent  to  the  cravings  of 
their  appfMites  and  passions.  Scarcely  an  indivi- 
dual among  them  can  be  found  who  is  pleased  with 
the  chara(;ipr  of  God  as  exhibited  in  the  scriptures. 
He  is  too  holy  and  too  righteous ;  they  cannot  bear 
the  effulgence  of  his  glory.  On  this  account,  they 
strip  him  of  his  perfections  according  to  their  plea- 
sure, and  remove  every  thing  which  they  dislike  ; 
or  turning  away  from  him  with  aversion  and  dread, 
they  frame  an  idol  to  themselves,  to  which  they  give 
the  name  of  God,  and  which  they  place  upon  his 
throne.  An  extermafion  of  the  evil  of  sin  is  another 
coiispicuous  part  of  deism,  and  spreads  itself  over 
every  p:ige.  Disobedience  to  the  divine  authority 
loses  in  the  eyes  of  deists  almost  all  its  atrocity,  and 
they  behold  it  with  calm  indifference.  For  some 
vices  they  stand  forth  as  apologists  or  advocates  ;  but 
the  whole  standard  of  Christian  morals  is  lowered 


CENTURIES   XVI. XVllI.  339 

by  Iheii*  system  in  an  inconceivable  degree.  Over 
the  future  state  they  generally  endeavour  to  throw  a 
thicker  veil.  Uncertainty  concernifig  its  existence 
is  frequently  hinted  at ;  eternal  happiness  is  never 
exhibited  by  them  as  an  object  of  w  irm  desire :  and 
great  pains  are  taken  and  most  fervid  eloquence  em- 
ployed to  disprove  the  punis;hm8nt  of  the  wicked. 
That  pure  philanthropy,  which  burned  in  the  he^^rts 
of  the  prophets  and  apostles,  will  in  vain  be  looked 
for  in  the  volumes  of  the  deists.  To  promote  with 
zeal  the  cause  of  piety  and  virtue,  to  improve  the 
moral  state  of  man,  and  augment  his  happiness,  it 
may  be  plainly  seen  is  not  their  aim.  Freedom  from 
the  restraints  of  religion,  not  a  felicity  arising  from 
goodness,  is  the  object  of  their  pursuit. 

"  The  manner  in  which  they  treat  the  subject  and 
their  opponents,  produces  a  still  more  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  their  character,  and  teaches  in  Avhat 
degree  of  esteem,  the  men,  their  system,  and  their 
writings  are  to  be  held.  By  persons  who  treat  on 
religion,  which  is  infinitely  the  most  important  of 
themes,  there  should  be  a  bold  and  frank  integrity 
that  speaks  truth  with  plainness ;  and  if  it  gives  of- 
fence, yet  from  a  conviction  of  duty,  submits  to  any 
consequences  which  may  ensue.  For  that  integrity 
in  the  works  of  the  deist,  the  reader  will  look  in  vain» 
Most  of  them  profess  great  respect  for  Christianity, 
while  its  destruction  is  evidently  their  object.  These 
Joabs,  with  apparent  cordiality  kiss  this  Abner,  w  hile 
their  design  is  secretly  to  smite  him  under  the  fifth 
rib.  Instead  of  coming  forward  manfully  to  the  at- 
tack, and  professing  a  just  cause  of  enmity,  they  lie 
in  wait  like  the  assassin  to  stab  in  the  dark.  Subtle 
insinuations  are  whispered  into  the  ear;  the  shaft  of 
ridicule  is  artfully  thrown;  and  then  it  is  pretended 
that  the  wound  whicli  it  inflicts  is  mortal.  P}!de, 
arrogance,  and  conceit  are  but  too  prominent  ir 
every  page  ;  and  Christian  writers  are  looked  down 
upon  with  contempt  as  their  inferiors  in  talents,  in 
learning,  in  e^  ery  thing.      The  cry  of  priestcraft  irf 


34§  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.         LECTURE  XVIL 

incessant,  and  in  their  esteem  efficacious  as  the  shout 
of  ancient  Israel,  and  makes  the  walls  of"  this  ancient 
city  of  God  fall,  to  the  ground.  An  advocate  for  de- 
ism, who  is  desirous  to  make  men  honour  Cod  and 
love  one  another,  practice  virtue,  and  hate  and  shun 
vice;  and  who  discovers  an  esteem  for  goodness 
wherever  it  is  found  ;  who  is  grieved  that  the  religion 
of  Jesus  which  exhihifs  such  noble  views  of  God, 
which  tends  so  much  to  the  improvement  of  the  hu- 
man character,  and  presents  to  the  hopes  of  the  be- 
liever a  state  of  eternal  happiness  in  every  respect  to 
be  supremely  desired,  is  yet  destitute  of  evidence 
suflicient  to  convince  an  imparlial  inquirer — where 
shall  he  be  found  .^" 

This  controversy  has  been  attended  with  the  most 
desirable  effrcts;  it  has  rendered  all  additional  inves- 
tigation of  the  topics  in  debate,  if  not  impossible,  total- 
ly superfluous ;  and  Grotius,  on  the  truth  of  Christian- 
ity. Sutler's  analogy  of  natural  and  revealed  religion  ; 
Halyburton's  natural  religion  insufficient,  and  re- 
vealed necessary  to  mari's  happiness  ;  Lardner's 
cr'^<libility,  or  Paley's  Evidences;  and  Leland's  view 
of  the  Deistical  writers,  with  his  publications  on  the 
necessity  of  revelation,  and  the  authority  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament  exceed  all  human  eulogy  ;  and 
to  him  who  peruses  those  volumes  or  either  of  them, 
with  an  unprejudiced  mind,  and  continues  an  infidel, 
Paul's  words  may  be  justly  applied,  "  if  any  man  be 
ignorant,  let  him  be  ignorant." 

1.   Tke    Trinitarian  Controversy. 

The  contention  respecting  the  person  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  has  assumed  diffi^reut  characteristics, 
at  various  periods...  "  After  the  reformation  was 
established,  arianism  again  revived,  but  its  advocates- 
realized  very  inconsiderable  success.  Generall; 
discouraged  and  persecuted,  the  majority  fled  to  Po 
land,  where  mingled  with  the  Socinians.  tliey  contin 
ued  during  a  considerable  period. 


CENTURIES    XVI. — XVIU.  .Mi 

Christians  have  too  often  contenclrd  areorig  iheii!- 
selves  for  almost  a  nonentitj  ;  but  in  the  dispute 
with  the  various  heretics  concerning  the  divinity  of 
the  Saviour  they  contest  for  all  that  is  essential  to 
faith,  invigorating  to  hope,  and  endearing  in  affeclion. 
The  deity  of  Christ  is  "  the  golden  hinge  on  which 
turns  all  that  is  valuable  in  his  religion  ;*'  Lt  they 
who  oppose  his  divine  glory,  al?o  equally  deny  his 
mediatorial  work,  atonement,  justification  by  his 
righteousness  through  faith,  his  presence  with  his 
Church  now,  and  the  immediate  possession  of  Para- 
dise after  death ;  that  is,  they  deface  all  the  distinc- 
tive, sublime  and  consolatory  characteristics  of  chris- 
tian theology. 

Socinus  was  the  first  and  most  distinguished  mod- 
ern who  opposed  the  deity  and  atonement  of  Imman- 
uel.  Servetus  also  united  with  him  in  despising  the 
apostolic  faith ;  but  the  disputants  divided  among 
themselves.  They  all  aifirmed  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  was  a  mere  man  ;  but  they  differed  respecting 
his  miraculous  conception,  and  the  propriety  of  hon- 
oring him  with  religious  worship.  (1.) 

The  Socinians  were  eventually  expelled  from  Po- 
land, with  such  atrocious  cruelties,  that  even  the  het- 
erodoxy of  their  principles  is  forgotten  wiiilewe  per- 
use the  record  of  their  agonies  ;  and  the  severance 
of  the  Racovian  Brethren  in  a  great  measure  extin- 
guished for  a  long  time  the  notoriety  of  their  opinions. 
But  in  the  reign  of  Charles  the  first,  their  dogmas 
were  again  introduced  to  the  notice  of  the  Protestants 
by  John  Biddle,  who  still  retains  "  a  high  character* 
for  morals,  talents  and  learning."  He  contended 
that  "  God  is  confined  to  a  certain  place,  possesses 
passions  and  a  bodily  shape,  is  neither  omnipotent 
nor  immutable,  and  that  Jesus  Christ  was  a  mere  man, 
who  was  not  a  Priest  for  his  people,  and  made  no  a- 
tonement  for  sin."  To  Dr.  Owen  was  confided  the 
honour  of  confuting  this  enemy   of  the    truth — his 

(1.)  AppendiK  XIX. 


342  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XVII. 

''  knowledge  of  ecclesiastical  history  and  poIr?nical 
theology,  was  so  vast  and  proibiind,  t'nat  nlthoii;;.';h  the 
ancient  heresies  were  revived  under  modern  names 
he  grasped  and  strangled  the  snakes  with  more 
than  herculean  powers.  The  acumen  with  wJiifh 
he  detected  the  most  specious,  and  the  force  with 
which  he  crushed  the  most  formidable  heresiarch,w  ere 
only  surpasse<l  by  the  accuracy  with  which  he  sta- 
ted and  explained  the  most  profon-id  ciisco\er)r's  of 
revelation,  and  the  sanctity  with  which  he  directed  e- 
very  truth  to  the  purification  of  the  lieart,  and  the  re- 
gulation of  the  life." 

The  controversy,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
-eighteenth  century,  presented  new  features;  it  was 
lirst  developed  in  England,  in  an  attempt  to  exnliin 
the  true  doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  Like  all  other  sim- 
ilar endeavours,  it  was  fruitless.  "  To  specify  with 
precision  the  personality  of  the  Father,  Son  and  Ho!y 
Ghost,  is  a  task  above  all  human  powers ;  but  to 
maintain  and  beheve  the  doctrine  of  Scripture,  that 
the  Father  is  God,  the  Son  is  God,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
is  God,  is  a  totally  different  object."  This  abortive 
dispute  to  interpret  an  inexplicable  mystery  most  pro- 
bably introduced  the  modern  arian  attempt  to  pro- 
pagate the  ancient  heresy  ;  the  evil  effects  of  which 
still  continue,  as  amo:)g  those  who  were  then  induced 
to  deviate  from  the  truth  are  formd  the  ancstors  of  all 
the  modern  Humanitarians,  except  those,  who;ifraid 
openly  to  avow  their  scornful  infidelity,  have  put  on 
this  mask  purely  to  conceal  the  deformity  of  their 
principles,  and  under  the  disguise  of  christians,  more 
effectually  to  undermine  all  that  is  vital  and  dignified 
in  •'  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  ever  blessed  Ood." 

The  tenets  of  the  present  her.^siarchs  upon  the  di- 
vinity of  Jesus  Christ,  are  candidly  stated  by  the  Pa- 
triarch of  the  sect  in  a  late  publicntion.  "  Christ  was 
sent  into  the  world  to  promulge  the  will  of  God:  to 
I'ommunicate  new  light  respecting  reh>j^ious  duties  ; 
<o  offer  an  example  of  i^b'^lie-icf' :  by  his  d'^'alii,  to 
evince  his  sincerity;  and  by  his  resurrection,  to  prove 


CENTURIES    XVr.— XVIII.  343 

our  immortality."  Generally  they  deny,  the  inspira- 
tion of  tiie  Holy  Scriplures,  the  separate  state  of  the 
soul,  and  the  eteraity  of  future  punishments.  They 
avow,  that  ■'  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  a  man  constitu- 
ted in  all  respects  like  other  men,  subject  to  the  same 
inti' mities,  prejudices,  ignorance,  and  frailties." 

The  writings  of  socinians  in  this  controversy  are 
inteiided  to  wage  war  with  the  Scriptures.  He 
thai  passes  Irorn  the  one  to  the  other  ieels  that  he 
breathes  a  different  atmosphere,  and  exists  in  anoth- 
er world.  The  tone  of  scepticism,  with  which  the 
allies  ofPriesiley  speak  of  every  thing  in  theology, 
except  Calvinism,  wiiich  always  inspires  them  with 
contident  dogmatism,  seems  designed  to  expose  the 
certainty  which  the  sacred  wrilers  inculcate  wherev- 
er God  has  revealed  his  mind.  Exalted  esteem  and 
ardent  aflfeciion  for  Christ,  inspired  by  the  scriptural 
representation  of  his  person  and  redemption,  did  de- 
clared to  be  the  vital  llame  which  pervades  the  liv- 
ing church,  is  by  the  socinian  writers  exchanged  for 
a  cold  measured  expression  of  respect,  extorted  by 
the  ardour  of  prophets  and  apostles,  in  defirnice  of 
tho  trigid  tendency  of  their  own  system.  For  if  Je- 
sus (Jhrist  is  originally  a  being  of  no  higher  order 
thun  ourselves,  but  in  consequence  of  the  office  to 
wfiich  he  was  promoted,  was  made  I.ord  and  Judge 
of  llie  rest  of  his  species,  and  rewarded  for  a  ^ew 
years  of  trinl,  with  a  resurrection  to  some  thousands 
of  J  cars  of  life  and  bliss,  while  the  rest  of  the  pious 
dead  are  mere  nors-entities,  or  at  best  unconscious 
lust,  it  was  such  an  honour  and  advantage  to  him,  that 
ihnosl  any  man  of  aspiring  energy  would  bo  glad  to 
?r)joy  the  s^me  privilege  by  which  he  would  attract 
;n\y.  rather  than  merit  gratitude.  The  language, 
v\\\c\\  the  socinians  hold  in  this  controversy  concern- 
ng  virtue,  reminds  us  only  of  heathen  philosophers: 
he  e;  ergy  of  ihc  liumnn  mind,  by  which  alone  they 
u^J)('^'^  'd  to  be  produced,  prorrs  it  to  be  any  thing 
ut  Lh  •'., "'  true  hoiiness,"  which  apostles  declare  to  be 
ie  eflect  of  the  sanctification  of  the  Spirit;  and  the 


314  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVI. 

merit  attached  to  it,  as  the  price  of  heaven,  proclaims 
(letiancc  to  those  who  assert  that  '•  eternal  liie  is  the 
jijit'l  oi'God,  and  that  it  is  not  oi" works,  lest  any  man 
should  boast."     So  palpable,  indeed,  is  the  discre- 
pancy of  the  two  systeins,  that  the  more  perspicacious 
and  hitished  polemics  on  the  socinian  side,  wisely  a- 
vold  provoking  a  comparison  by  a  direct  quotat'on 
from  the  sacred  volume,  or  by  any  resemblance  of 
diction;  except  when  tlie  humanity  ot  Christ  draws 
them  out  to  show  tluit  they   are  glad  to  avail  them- 
selves of  Scripture  when  they  can,  and  by  which  they 
prove  just  as  much  against  his  Deity,  as  they  would 
against  his  priesthood,  by  adducing  texts  which  de- 
clare him  to  be  a  king.     These  writers  carnot  agree 
among  themselves  t^hat  idea  shall  be  attached  to  the 
Holy  Spirit,  or  what  interpretation  shall  be  given  to 
the  introduction  of  the  gospel  by  John;  this,  with  their 
denial  of  the  inspiration  of  the  Scriptures,  the  divine 
induences  on  the  human   mind,  the  miraculous  con- 
ception of  Christ,  his  impeccability,  his    atonement, 
his  intercession,  the  existence  of  a  soul  in  man,  and 
the  eternity  of  future  punishment,  serves  as  an  anti- 
dote to  the  poison  of  anti-trinitarianism,  which  their 
talents  and  boldness  would    otherwise  have  more 
•widely  diffused.     By  continual  progress  in  the  same 
road,  one  rejecting  three  out  of  four  gospels  as  fabu- 
lous ;  another  despising  prayer  as  nugatory  ;  a  third 
branding  public  worship  with  the  name  of  hypocrisy ; 
a  fourth  opposing  the  morality  of  the  Sabbath,  and 
even  recommending  without  a  blush  the  pious  plea- 
sures of  the  theatre  on  ti;e  Lord's  day  ;  and,  at  length, 
a  disciple  of  the  same  school  denying  the  resurrection 
and  the  general  judgment,  which  the  others  had  pro- 
nounced the  only  discoveries  of  rational  Christianity  ; 
they  have  strengthened  the  antidote,  at  least  ss  'iiuch 
as  the  poison  ;  for  it  is  thus  rendered  manifest,  that 
this  new  species  of  Christian  philosophy  is  only  infi- 
delity baptized  with  a  christian  name. 

The  investigations  connected  with  this  topic  have 
aibistcd  the  cause  of  truth,  so  as  to  give  it  the  most 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  345 

complete  triumph  ;  and  nothing  more  is  necessary  to 
convince  any  person,  n  ho  studies  the  Scriptures,  that 
the  whole  sjstem  of  theology  comprehended  within 
the  particulars  already  enumerated,  is  totally  unfoun- 
ded and  anti-scriptural,  than  for  him  to  take  the  Bi- 
ble without  note  or  comment  in  one  hand,  and  the 
Humanitarian  expositions  in  the  other,  and  calmly 
compare  the  analogous  passages  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testament?,  with  their  sophistical,  jejune,  distorted, 
and  contradictory  interpretations.  In  this  case,  as 
in  the  assaults  upon  the  oracles  of  God  of  their  fellow 
labourers,  the  Deists,  tlie  result  has  been  siniihir  ; 
the  confusion  of  the  heterodoxical  enemies  of  the  a- 
dorable  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  the  augmented  con- 
viction, energy,  intelligence,  and  fortitude  of  them 
"who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Cliristin  sincerity." 
2.   The  Arminian  Controversij. 

The  question  in  dispute  between  calvinists  and  ar- 
'minians,  forms  the  gordian  knot  in  theology.  The 
eagerness  which  some  have  shown  to  condemn 
the  gospel,  on  account  of  the  controversies  which  a- 
lienate  men  from  each  other,  has  only  betrayed  their 
own  ignorance  or  prejudice ;  for,  if  the  dispute  which 
we  have  now  to  record,  has  tbrmed  christians  into 
hostile  sects,  did  it  not  also  divide  heathens  into  dif- 
ferent schools  of  philosophy  ?  And  if  the  controversy 
has  been  more  eagerly  agitated  in  modern  than  in  an- 
cient times,  it  only  indicates  that  Christianity  has 
rendered  the  heart  of  man  more  sensible  to  the  im- 
portance of  his  relation  to  a  moral  governor,  and  in- 
vigorated his  intellect  to  perceive  all  the  difficulties 
which  attend  the  investigation  of  the  subject. 

To  borrow  an  apostolic  simile,  the  first  christians, 
"  like  new-born  babes,"  had  few  differences ;  for  a 
grateful  sense  of  recent  deliverance  from  ruin  attach- 
ed them  to  their  great  deliverer,  and  to  all  who  were 
fellow  heirs  of  the  same  grace;  so  that  "the  multi- 
tudes of  them  that  believed  were  of  one  heart  and 
one  soul."  But  when  arianism  had  kindled  the  fire 
of  controversy,  pelagianism  soon  followed  to  teed  the 
2  U 


//■ 


3'lG  EeCLEJlASTlCAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVII. 

flamps.  Those  who  now  adopt  a  modification  of"  this 
latter  system,  suppose  it  to  be  that  ofthe  Scriptures^ 
and,  of  course,  ot  the  first  Christians  ;  but  it  is  unde- 
niiible,  that  Augustine,  wlio  took  the  calvinistic  side 
ag^iinst  Pelagius,  was  hailed  as  the  champion  of  the 
ancieut  faith.  Augusliiiianism  was,  from  the  ti  ne  oi 
its  celebrated  fattier,  the  creed  of  the  church  ;  but 
like  the  catholic  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  it  gained 
Siich  a  triumph  as  extinguished  the  dispute,  and  left 
us  much  in  the  dark  concerning  the  sentiments  of  snb- 
s<N}uent  ages.  That  the  thick  night,  which  envelo- 
ped the  christian  world  during  the  ninth  and  tenth 
centu'ies,  obscured  the  doctrines  of  grace,  is  mani- 
fest hy  the  martyrdom  of  Godeschalcus  for  maintain- 
ing the  sentiments  of  Augustine. 

The  Waldenses  and  Wickliffites  were  charged  by 
the  papistical  party  with  holding  the  doctrines  which 
were  afterwards  termed  Calvinistical ;  but  the  refbr- 
matioLi  so  directed  tiie  general  attention  to  other  ob- 
jects, that  this  controversy  was  for  a  time  abandon -^d. 
Luther,  first  among;  reformers  maintained  the  leadino' 
sentiments  of  tlie  pastor  of  Geneva,  in  a  book  ^n  i- 
tled,  '•  de  Servo  Arbitrio,"  written  in  answer  to  Eras- 
mus, v\ho  had  maintained  the  Romish  doctrine  of 
frei!  will.  While,  however,  it  would  be  dilficult.  if 
not  i'iinossible,  to  find  any  thing  more  Calvinistic 
than  these  pages  of  Luther,  it  has  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
Calvin  to  embody  t!ie  system,  and  stamp  it  with  his 
irsme.  His  christian  institutes  have  entered  so  fully 
into  this  mcst  awfully  profound  department  of  theolo- 
gv.that  they  are  coiisidered  as  the  standard  of  these 
se.itiiTients  ;  though  many  who  firmly  maintain  their 
general  truth,  consider  them  capable  ofamore  defen- 
sible statement.  Calvin  saw  his  system  received  as 
the  crf^ed  of  protestants  ;  for  the  doctrines  wdiich 
bear  his  name  were  adopted,  not  only  in  Geneva,  but 
in  Switzerland,  France,  Holland,  England,  and  Scot- 
land. 

Kut  it  is  proper  briefly  to  state  the  sentiments  of 
the  contending  parties  on  these  intricate  and  super- 


is 


CENTURIES  XVI. ^XVlll.  347 

human  topics  ;  they  are  commonly  called  the  five 
points ;  election,  particular  redemption,  eificacious 
grace,  freewill,  and  final  perseverance. 

The  following  positions  comprise  in  a  summary 
form  the  controverted  opinions  ;  but  it  must  be  pre- 
mised, that  both  parties  believe,  that  justification  is 
by  faith  alone,  without  human  merit  ;  and  that  many 
of  the  most  famous  controversists  diller  in  minute 
points  and  verbal  explanations. 

1.  The  Calvinists  allirm,  that  God  has  chosen  a 
certain  number  of  the  human  family  in  Christ,  unto 
everlasting  glory,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world, 
according  to  his  immutable  purpose,  and  of  his  free 
grace  and  love,  without  the  least  foresight  of  faith, 

ood  works,  or  any  conditions  to  be  performed  by 
the  creature.  On  the  contrary,  tlie  Arminians  main- 
tain, that  the  Deity  has  not  fixed  tlie  future  state  of 
mankind  by  an  unconditional  decree  ;  but  determin 
ed  from  all  eternity  to  bestow  salvation  on  those,  who 
he  foresaw  would  persevere  to  the  end  in  their  faith 
in  Jesus  Christ ;  and  to  inflict  everlasting  punishment 
on  those,  who  should  continue  in  their  unbelief,  and 
to  the  end  resist  his  divine  grace. 

2.  The  Calvinists  assert,  that  Jesus  Christ  by  his 
death  and  sufferings  made  atonement  for  the  sins  of 
the  elect  only.  This  position  the  Arminians  deny, 
and  contend,  that  Jesus  Christ  by  his  death  and  suf- 
ferings, made  an  atonement  for  the  sins  of  all  mankind 
in  general,  and  of  every  individual  in  particular; 
that  however,  none  but  those  who  believe  in  him,  can 
be  partakers  of  their  divine  benefits. 

.3.  The  Calvinists  believe,  that  mankind  are  totally 
depraved,  in  consequence  of  the  fall  ;  and  by  virtue 
of  Adam's  being  their  federal  head,  the  guilt  of  his 
sin  was  imputed,  and  a  corrupt  nature  conveyed  to 
all  his  posterity,  from  which  proceed  all  actual  trans- 
gressions; and  that  by  sin  we  are  made  subject  to 
death,  and  all  miseries,  temporal,  spiritual  and  eter- 
nal. The  Arminians  reply,  that  mankind  are  not  to- 
tally depraved,^ and  that  depravity  dors  ijot  come 


3i8  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVll. 

upon  them  by  virtue  ol'  Adam's  bein«:  tlieir  })ublic 
head  ;  but  that  mortalitv  and  natural  evil  only  are  the 
direct  consequences  of  his  sin  to  his  posterity. 

4.  The  Calvinists  maintain,  that  all  whom  God  has 
predestinated  to  eternal  life,  he  effectually  calls  by 
his  word  and  spirit,  i'rom  sin  and  death,  to  grace  and 
salvation  by  Jesus  Christ; — on  the  contrary,  the  Ar- 
minians  contend,  that  divine  grace  in  the  conversion 
of  sinners  is  not  irresistible. 

T).  The  Calvinists  believe,  that  those  whom  God 
calls  and  has  sanctified  by  his  spirit  shall  not  finally 
fall  from  this  state  of  grace — while  the  Arminians  af- 
firm, that  believers  in  Christ  may  apostatize  and  per- 
ish Jn  their  sins.  The  controversy  on  these  five 
ffoints  in  its  present  form  and  features  commenced 
with  Arminus  in  Holland,  and  continued  to  rage 
with  much  acrimony  during  the  reign  of  Charles  I. 
in  England,  and  among  the  Jansenists  and  Jesuits  in 
France ;  and  subsequently,  it  has  assumed  a  very 
prominent  station  among  the  modern  theological  de- 
bates, from  its  having  been  sanctioned  and  publicly 
adopted  as  the  creed  of  John  Wesley  and  his  follow- 
ers, which  constitutes  the  present  line  of  demarcation 
between  them,  and  all  the  other  more  numerous  de- 
nominations of  Christians. 

This  collision  of  opinion  lias  involved  combatants 
of  the  highest  order.  Not  to  mention  Augustine  and 
Calvin — Goodwin  wrote  with  great  ardour  and  abili- 
ty in  defence  of  Arminianism,  and  published  a  vol- 
ume entitled  '•  Redemption  redeemed,"  which  recei- 
ved the  honor  of  being  confuted  fey  Dr.  Owen.  After 
him  appeared  Jonathan  Edwards,  whose  work  on 
the  "  Freedom  of'the  will,"  might  have  settled  the  dis- 
pute. He  proved  w  ith  what  may  be  called  a  prodigal- 
ity of  evidence,  that  from  the  nature  of  the  human 
mind  a  necessity  of  cojisequence  must  exist  in  human  af- 
fairs^ and  not  only  confirmed  this,  both  by  the  general 
tenor  of  Scripture,  and  a  multitude  of  particular 
texts,  but  drove  the  contrary  notion  off  the  field  by 
a  rsduciio  ad  absurdum  that  is  a  developement  of  its 


^ 


CENTUBIES     XVI. XVIll.  o49 

absurdity,  so  complete,  that  nothing  like  an  answer 
couUl  ever  be  given.  The  opposite  party  either  shut 
tlieireyes,  or  steeled  their  hearts  against  his  argu- 
ments; concluding  that  they  could  not  be  true; 
because  as  they  said,  they  contradicted  the  feelings 
of  nature,  the  testimony  of  conscience,  and  the  lan- 
guage of  scripture,  which  all  concurred  to  prove, 
that  we  are  moral  agents  and  not  mere  machines. — 
Hence  Fletcher,  the  ablest  ©f  the  arminian  writers, 
admits  one  species  of  necessity,  and  contends  ear- 
nestly for  it,  in  opposition  to  Edwards,  who  wrote 
his  book  to  establish  the  same  kind  of  necessity. 
Once,  indeed,  the  Vicar  of  Madeley  seems  fairly  to 
face  the  American,  when  Edwards  contends  that  eve- 
ry kind  of  necessity  is  not  incompatible  with  that  free- 
dom of  the  will  which  is  essential  to  moral  agency, 
praise  and  blame  ;  because  God  is  necessarily  holy, 
devils  are  necessarily  or  irreclaimably  evil  ;,yet  nei- 
ther the  best  nor  the  worst  beings  act  by  compulsion  ; 
the  oue  deserve  praise  and  the  other  blame.  The 
manner  in  which  Fletcher  attempts  to  answer  this 
would  be  amusing,  were  it  not  a  melancholy  specta- 
cle, to  see  such  a  man  attempt  to  defend  himself  and 
others  from  the  force  of  truth. 

The  conflict  has  been  lately  revived  with  such  in- 
tellectual force  and  holy  temper,  that  "we  have 
scarcely  any  thing  further  to  expect  or  wish."  Tuck- 
er's Predestination  is  a  very  superior  work  in  a  small 
compass — while  Tomline's  pretended  refutation  of 
Calvinism  has  educed  investigations  which  render 
any  further  replication  superfluous.  Williams'  Es- 
say on  the  Equity  and  Sovereignty  of  God,  with  his 
answer,  and  Scott's  reply  to  that  Hierarch,  have  so 
triumphantly  demolished  his  prelatical  ignorance, 
inconsistencies  and  dogmatism,  that  if  accuracy  of 
distinctions,  and  the  practical  tendencies  of  each 
system  morally  considered  could  be  impartially  re- 
viewed?, the  disputants  must  be  silent  forever. 


350  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE    XViJ. 

///.  Tke  Baptismal  controversy. 
To  an  enlightened  and  leeeling  disciple  of  Jesus, 
nothing  in  the  modern  history  ot  Cliristianity  is  cal- 
culated to  excite  more  astonisliment  and  pain,  tii.  a 
the  almost  impassable  gulph  which  ignorance  ;.;u.l 
bigotry  combined  have  contrived  to  excavate,  be- 
tween the  professed  followers  of" the  Lamb,  upon  this 
non-essential  department  of  our  common  i{\\\\  nnd 
practice.  If  we  contrast  the  factitious  impo.  t  uice 
given  to  the  divisions  of  sentiment  upon  this  topic, 
with  its  intrinsic  moment  as  revealed  in  the  sacred 
oracles,  we  are  almost  at  a  loss  to  unravel  the  ino- 
tivei  in  which  such  irrecowcileable  separations  origi- 
nated or  by  what  infatuation  among  cluUren  affile  same 
devotion,  they  can  have  been  perpetuated.  The  cal- 
vinistic  majority  oHhe pious  world  is  so  vast,  that  the 
minority  as.to  numbers,  are  comparitively  units  ;  and 
with  regard  to  all  the  points  necessary  to  s,*lvation, 
whether  Ihey  be  the  doctrines,  the  obligations,  or 
the  duties  connected  with  evangelical  claims,  howev- 
diversified  their  explications  upon  minor  matters, 
the  whole  body  are  identical.  An  Idolater  Intely  do- 
livered  from  the  darkness  and  thraldom  which  en- 
circle the  temple  of  Juggernaut,  might  therefore  be 
juotly  overwhelmed  with  conflicting  emotions,  whoii 
he  primarily  understands,  that  as  soon  as  he  has 
deserted  from  the  camp  of  the  enemy  and  engaged 
in  the  service  of  Immanuel,  the  divisions  and  secla- 
rian  proselyting  spirit  of  his  new  Friends  may  entan- 
gle him  in  a  perplexing  labyrinth,  from  which  notliing 
but  the  arrest  of  death  can  liberate  him.  'J  he 
non-intercourse  tacitly  enacted  between  the  an- 
cient Jews  and  the  Samaritans,  is  itsconceivably 
more  defensible  than  the  modern  parliiion-wall  be- 
tween the  adherents  of  infant  and  adult  btplisai ;  and 
especially,  if  itbe  considered,  that  the  Antip(odo  Bap- 
tists exclusively,  were  the  prime  artificers  cMnploy^'d 
in  erecting  this  anti-biblical  barrier  not  .3(M)  years 
since  ;  and  that  they  still  are  the  only  craftsmen,  who 
in  every  successive  generation,  have   combined  t© 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVIII.  351 

append  the  buttresses  requisite  to  support  the  unhal- 
lowid  and  tottering  fabric.  Among  the  disputants 
upo  .  tijis  jpjune  subject,  no  diversity  of  opinion  exists, 
respecting  the  degeneracy  and  helpless  condition  of 
man  by  nature  ;  or  the  necessity,  the  method,  and 
the  value  of  chiistian  redemption  by  faith  in  Jesus, 
theSouofGod;  or  the  imperious  demand  of  full  and 
perseverifi<y  obedience  to  all  the  Saviour's  mandates  ; 
or  the  destiny  of  man  as  an  immortal  creature,  the 
recipient  of  endless  wo,  or  felicity  everlasting — in 
tha  splendid  objects  of  faith,  the  pure  animation  of 
hope,  the  ardent  transports  of  love,  and  the  peaceful 
sensibilities  of  devotion,  these  sons  of  strife  are  in- 
dissoh'.bly  cemented  ;  assuredly,  therefore  nothing 
less  than  a  "  thus  saith  the  Lord"  should  be  permit- 
ted to  impede  their  harmony  ;  or  to  interrupt  their 
performance  of  the  eleventh,  the  paramount  com- 
mandment, "  Love  one  another  as  I  have  loved  you;" 
or  to  extinguish  the  peculiar  heaven-born  characte- 
ristics of  the  immaculate  Redeemer's  similitude,  by 
which  an  ungodly  world  can  most  L  cidly  recognize 
their  union  with  him;  for  "  all  men  shall  know  that 
ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another." 
The  subjects  in  dispute  involve  three  inquiries — 
in  what  mode  must  water  be  applied  in  christian 
Baptism  ? — to  whom  may  the  ordinance  be  adminis- 
tered ? — is  the  immersion  of  the  candidate,  when 
ad 'ill,  under  water,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  a  person  who  him- 
self hnd  previ(u-'y  bi  en  plunged  when  he  was  bap- 
tized, anindispensible  pre  requisite  to  reception  into 
the  Christian  church,  and  to  admission  at  the  Lord's 
table,  which  is  the  capital  exhibition  of  the  commu- 
nion of  all  saints  ?  These  and  all  the  coliiieral 
questions  are  answered  by  the  reply  which  is  made 
to  the  third  query;  and  the  various  divisions  of  the 
A"' ipoedo-Baptists  respond  in  the  aflirmntive  ;  while 
all  o(her  denominalions  of  christians  since  *'  '^for- 
mi  tV.iv,  ai'rl  *hc  universal  world  ofbelievers.  j.i.  o 
the  establishment  of  the  church  by  Constantine,  - 


3;>2  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.         LECTURE  XVII. 

tlic  elevation  of  the  Popedom,  and  excluding  the  in- 
termediate 900  years  of  superstitious  darkness,  una- 
nimously deny  the  correctness  of  their  unsocial  posi- 
tion. 

Nearly  a  century  elapsed,  after  Menno,  in  1. ";>(?, 
organized  his  first  society  of  exclusive  commutionists, 
before  his  novel  opinions  attracted  any  peculiar  no- 
tice, or  opposition ;  but  from  the  period  when  the 
chief  topics  of  the  controversy,  began  to  excite  pub- 
lic debate  and  constituted  another  ingredient  in  the 
theological  babel,  few  subjects  have  elicited  such  a 
parade  of  useless  learning,  and  so  large  a  quantity  of 
acrimonious  uncharitableness  and  vehemence.  It  is 
not  wonderful,  thot  the  grand  adversary  of  God  r.nd 
man  should  have  fanned  the  flame  of  contention  afler 
it  was  once  enkindled  ;  but  how  that  most  abhorrent 
doo-ma,  close  communion,  as  it  is  at  presi^nt  held  hy 
those  who  for  the  sake  of  distinction,  denon  iiate 
themselves  the  regular  Baptists,  could  have  bee^.  in- 
vented, credited,  and  propagated,  is  among  the  unac- 
countable mysteries  of  human  depravity  and  stupe- 
faction. Latterly, however,  the  strongholds  of  (hill- 
ness  and  delusion  have  been  battered  with  gig-.)iilic 
force,  by  Robert  Hall  in  his  terms  of  communion; 
and  by  Dr.  Mason  in  his  plea  for  christian  comniu- 
nion; — so  that  the  prospect  brightens,  and  sanc(i(  ns 
the  indulgence  of  hope  that  these  mountains  of  intol- 
erance will  ere  long  "  be  made  low,"  A  severer 
censure  upon  the  abettors  of  this  principle  and  prac- 
tice, was  never  uttered,  than  that  pronounced  by 
William  Ward,  the  Serampore  Missionary,  in  liis 
farewell  letters;  after  describing  the  state  of  Chris- 
tianity in  the  United  States  from  his  own  inspection, 
he  observes,  "that  he  had  not  discovered  in  liis 
journeys,  one  Baptist  church  which  practized  open, 
that  is,  christian  communion."  On  the  mode  and 
subject  of  Baptism,  the  discrepance  is  no  less  sin- 
gular; the  close  communionists  confine  the  ordniance 
to  adults  by  immersion  ;  while  their  more  pltilan- 
thropical  fellow-disciples,  are  willing  to  enrol  both 


CENTURIES   XVI. XVIII.  353 

the  parents  and  their  ciiildren,  in  the. service  t)f  the 
captain  of  salvation  ;  and  are  unable  to  discover  in 
the  New  Testament,  either  a  definite  injunction  res- 
pecting; the  metliod  in  whicli  baptismal  water  shall  be 
applied,  or  an  authoritative  restriction  of  the  ordi- 
nance only  to  adult  professors.  During  the  present 
generation,  the  controversy  has  been  very  keenly 
and  extensively  agitated ;  and  it  must  be  admitted, 
tliat  the  modern  combatants  in  behalf  of  Antip«do- 
baptism,  have  been  unusually  discomfited;  at  least 
a  very  superior  and  much  enlarged  spirit  of  liberal- 
ity to  others,  and  a  fraternity  of  temper  altogether 
unprecedented  in  former  periods  characterize  the 
most  enlightened  and  inilucntial  members  of  the 
Baptist  denomination;  which  authorizes  the  antici- 
pation, that  ere  long  the  pacific  pi-edictigm  shall  be 
completed  in  all  its  beauty,  eniargemenl  and  force, 
^'Ephraira  shall  not  envy  Judah,  and  Jud  :ii  s'kiH 
not  vex  Ephraim  ;  and  the  people  shali  ci[i  uj);)^:  !!ie 
name  of  the  Lord,  to  serve  him  with  one  col!S'?;l"  2. 
IV.  The  controversy  upon  the  Government  and  Disripluie 
of  the  church. 
The  origin  of  tfiis  divison  among  the  Protestants, 
has  already  been  briedy  narrated,  in  the  history  of 
the  English  Episcopalian  estab!is!>:rient.  From  its 
results,  however,  it  has  been  attended  with  the  most 
important  consequences  ;  and  the  extension  ot  the 
opinions  upon  which  the  Anglo-Puritans  primarily 
dissented  from  the  religion  enacted  by  law,  has  veri- 
fied several  most  momentous  facts  incoimection  with 
the  progress  of  pure  and  undefiled  religion.  Two 
hundred  and  fifty  years  have  elapsed,  since  the  op- 
ponents of  the  national  church  in  England  assumed 
a  distinct  and  systematic  character ;  and  their  in- 
crease has  been  regular,  until  they  comprize  not  on- 
ly the  incomparably  larger  portion  of  the  existing 
piety  in  Great  Britain  ;  but  also,  including  those  who 
have  descended  from  them,  and  who  adhere  to  them 
in  theological  and  ecclesiastical  doctrines,  at  present, 

2.  Appciiilit  XX. 

2  W 


354  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVll. 

embody  the  vast  majority  of  evangelical  christians 
throughout  the  globe.  I'he  annals  of  the  Puritans, 
the  Non-confoniiists,  and  their  modern  successors,  in 
connection  with  the  state  of  religion  in  our  Repub- 
lics, have  demonstrated  in  a  superlative  degree  the 
noble  qualities  of  Christianity  ;  and  have  evinced 
beyond  all  cavil,  that  the  coalition  between  church 
and  state  is  destructive  of  vital  godliness,  and  that 
all  spiritual  authority,  when  supported  by  the  civil 
pi>wer,  is  a  sanguinary,  and  doubly  traitorous  despot- 
is. n,  equally  injurious  to  national  prosperity,  inimi- 
cal to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men,  and  derogatory 
to  the  supreme  King  inZion. 

No  complaint  has  more  frequently  been  uttered  by 
the  Episcopalians  in  every  age,  and  no  sounds  have 
been  more  generally  reverberated,  than  their  peeling 
outcries  concerning  schism;  notwithstanding  they, 
at  the  same  time,  the  close  communionists  excepted, 
are  the  only  distinguished  tribe  of  schismatics  in  the 
Protestant  domains,  while  they  admit  the  sanctity  of 
Popish  ordination,  and  the  validity  of  the  sacraments 
administered  by  a  Jesuit ;  they  derjy  the  ministry,  de- 
votions and  covenant  membership  of  all  other  denom- 
inations. Lutheran,  Presbyterian  and  Congregational, 
The  basis  on  which  they  erect  this  alliance  with  Po- 
pery, and  their  aversion  from  all  other  Protestants, 
is  one  of  the  most  senseless  absurdities  w  hich  folly, 
fanaticism  or  wickedness  ever  invented  to  conceal 
the  turpitude  of  tyranny — the  divine  right  and  unin- 
terrupted succession  of  Diocesan  Bishops.  3.  Hence, 
it  is  proper  to  define  the  word  schism,  according  to 
its  genuine  scriptural  import. 

Schism  denotes  a  separation  in  heart  and  affec- 
tions from  those  who  walk  according  to  the  institu- 
tions of  Christ,  or  an  entire  departure  liom  their 
communion.  Who  is  guilty  of  this  offence  ?  Thej 
who  deny  that  Jesus  is  the  only  liead  of  the  church, 
and  assume  a  right  to  alter,  to  superadd,  or  to  take 
away  from  what  he  established — not  those  who  as- 

.1.  Appeudix  XXI. 


I 


CENTUHIES    XVI. XVIII.  355 

serl  his  sole  authority  and  who  plead  for  the  integrity 
of  Christ's  constitution.  He  is  not  guilty  of  schism, 
who  associates  with  persons  that  acknowledge  Im- 
manuel  as  their  Lord,  believe  the  pure  doctrines  of 
the  Gospel,  worship  Jehovah  as  the  Son  of  Man  pre- 
scribes, and  evidence  their  title  to  christian  disci- 
pleship  by  their  philanthropy  to  them  who  love  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  by  their  separation  from  the  ser- 
vants of  Satan.  How  can  that  be  schism  which  con- 
sists merely  in  disjunction  from  a  system  which  had 
no  existence  prior  to  the  year  I'^eO;  which  bears  a 
resemblance  to  nothing  called  christian  earlier  than 
the  tburth  or  fifth  century ;  and  which  in  its  head  and 
organization  is  altogether  papistical ;  in  very  impor- 
tant doctrines,  such  as  baptismal  regeneration  with 
all  its  appendages  is  radically  erroneous  ;  in  its  wor- 
ship, services  and  sacraments  is  either  formal  or  su- 
perstitious ;  and  is  totally  anti-evangelical  in  its  disci- 
pline ?  Is  it  schism  not  to  declare  unfeigned  assent  to 
all  the  multifarious  code  imposed  even  in  its  abridged 
form  by  the  episcopacy  in  this  Union?  Assuredly, 
it  is  full  time  that  this  accusation  ceased.  Schism  is 
an  alienation  of  heart  from  Christ's  institutions,  not 
from  man's  inventions.  They  who  would  imposr- 
such  fictions  on  the  disciples  of  Christ,  instead  of  his 
appointments,  are  the  schismatics,  not  those  Avho 
separate  from  them  for  conscience'  sake. 

The  sacred  scriptures  reccommmend  union  among 
christians,  with  the  energy  and  pathos  of  divine  au- 
thority :  and  while  the  church  remains  in  its  purity, 
separation  from  it  is  an  heinous  crime.  But  what- 
ever men  touch  they  defile ;  and  the  whole  stream  of 
history  discovers  a  tendency  to  corruption  in  the 
best  institutions.  This  takes  its  rise  from  the  depra- 
vity of  human  nature,  which  mistakes  or  dislikes, 
what  God  has  ordaiued  ;  and  lops  ofl"  what  is  dis- 
pleasing, or  adds  what  appears  beautiful  and  vene- 
rable. From  this  propensity  flowed  the  syst':!!!  of 
superstition  and  temporal  domination  which  ended 
in  the  abyss  of  popery. 


356  ECCLCSIASTlfJAL    HISTORY.  LEdl'Rt:    XVU. 

^Tbe  refonnatioi)  arrested  this  progress  of  evii. 
liglii  increased  :  questions  were  agitated  which 
sharpened  men's  minds,  and  led  to  the  discovery 
and  evidence  oiiivan}-  important  truths,  which  had 
not  belbre  engaged  the  attention  olthe  learned  and 
religious  world.  These,  as  they  were  discovered 
and  beheved,  formed  a  part  of  the  mental  system. 
and  produced  trains  of  reasoning,  modes  of  senli- 
incnt,  mid  rules  of  conduct  unknown  before. 

In  consequence  of  these  advantages,  pious  and 
enlightened  men  learned  to  examine  matters  with 
a  more  penetrating  judgment  and  nicer  discri- 
mination. Their  virtue  and  goodness  kept  pace 
•\vith  their  improvements  in  knowledge.  Little  to 
the  honour  of  the  English  character  at  the  era  of 
the  reformation,  the  mass  of  the  clergy  changed 
backwards  and  forwards,  shifted  with  the  wind, 
and  moved  vvitli  the  tide.  But  in  a  century  after. 
England  could  boast  oi  a  far  more  enlightened  and 
virtuous  clergy,  the  principles  of  thousands  of  whom 
would  not  bend  with  external  circumstances,  and 
the  changing  decrees  enacted  by  the  authority  of 
the  state.  The  act  of  unilbrmity  required  them  to 
do  what  they  conceived  to  be  contraiy  to  the  iion- 
ourofthe  glorious  Head  of  the  church,  and  hostile 
to  the  purity  aiid  integrity  ofhis  institutions.  In  con- 
sequence of  this,  they  made  a  stand,  separated  them- 
selves irom  the  establishment,  and  Ibrmcd  those 
societies  which  remain  to  the  present  day. 

That  people  may  differ  about  triiles  is  too  frequent- 
ly seen  ;  and  when  they  break  ofl'from  the  communion 
of  a  church  on  account  of  these,  their  conduct  is 
highly  reprehensible.  But  there  is  an  extreme  on  the 
opposite  side.  When  men  yield,  for  the  sake  of 
peace,  to  impositions  against  which  conscience  re- 
volts, and  which  conscience  condemns  as  sinful,  they 
merit  at  least  an  equal  degree  of  blame.  In  the 
midst,  between  these  extremities,  there  are  great  and 
important  principles,  for  the  sake  of  which  good  men 
may  justly  make  a  stand,  and  which  they  may  refuse 


CENTURIES    >V1. X\!ll.  ^ i)  i 

to  part  Avilh  :  and  if  thcj  caiuiot  ol.hv':^r\\  ise  retain 
them,  they  are  warraiilecl  to  wiliidiaAV  IVom  tlsat 
chuich  which  will  not  allow  that  they  should  be  re- 
tai;ied  by  private  christians  in  her  communloii.  and  by 
the  ministers  who  otHciate  at  her  altars. 

Those  who  stand  ibrward  as  confessors  for  truth, 
claim  a  hiojh  rank  amon«-  the  benefactors  of  the  human 
race.  Their  reward  indeed  may  at  the  time  be  from 
heaven  alone;  and  what  they  receive  from  man  con- 
sist rather  in  the  approbation  of  succeeding  genera- 
tions, than  that  in  whicii  they  lived.  To  I  hem  the 
w^orld  is  indebted  lor  the  progress  w  hich  it  has  made 
in  pure  principles,  and  in  the  virtues  resulting  from 
them:  arid  it  is  from  a  succession  of  such  men,  that 
ne  have  derived  all  our  advancement  in  those  invalu- 
ble  truths  which  ennoble  the  soid  and  exalt  the  char- 
acter. It  may  perhaps  be  deemed  improper  toinscribe 
in  this  list  the  names  of  the  Apostles  of  Christ,  as 
their  wisdom  came  immediately  from  heaven,  and 
their  oppositioi]  to  establ'shed  systems  was  by  divine 
commaiid.  But  their  conduct  was  a  stand  for  princi- 
ples :  and  in  this  respect  they  take  their  station  at  the 
head  of  the  reformers  of  the  world. 

Tlie  men  who,  in  different  countries,  lifted  up  their 
voice  against  the  monstrous  superstitions  of  popery, 
merit  the  praise  of  every  succeeding  age,  for  their 
undaunted  appearance  in  times  of  the  most  imminent 
danger,  in  bfdialf  of  these  glorious  principles  of  divine 
truth,  which  had  long  been  trodden  under  foot.  But 
they  still  left  much  to  be  done,  and  a  rich  harvest  of 
laurels  to  be  reaped  by  those  who  should  come  after 
them.  In  England,  during  the  reigns  of  Elizabeth, 
James,  and  Charles  the  first,  hundreds  of  excellent 
ministers,  and  ten  thousands  of  pious  laymen  exposed 
themselves  to  the  tremendous  storm  of  arbitrary  pow- 
er and  ecclesiastical  tyranny;  and  rather  than  yield 
to  what  they  conceived  to  be  injurious  to  tlie  honour 
of  God,  and  his  revealed  truth,  they  submitted  to 
the  loss  of  office,  of  affluence,  and  their  country; 
and  many  sought  refuge  in  the  wilds  of  America. 


358  ECCLESIASTICAL    HlSTORV.         LECTURE    XVIF. 

But  it  was  reserved  for  the  nonconformists  to 
stand  forth,  as  a  body,  in  defence  of  what  they  ac- 
counted truth  and  duty,  and  to  suffer  the  loss  of  eve- 
ry thing  but  one — their  principles.  They  are  re- 
garded with  the  highest  veneration  as  the  founders 
of  that  building  which  has  remained  in  its  original 
strength  to  the  present  day,  and  appears  one  of  the 
fairest  structures  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

A  brief  outline  of  the  fundamental  principles 
which  all  those  maintain,  who  deny  the  peculiar 
and  haughty  assumptions  of  the  professed  descend- 
ants from*- him  who  sitteth  in  the  temple  of  God  as 
God"  IS  requisite  to  elucidate  the  foundation  on  which 
the  disciples  of  religious  liberty  have  erected  their 
spiritual  temple,  and  which  they  are  convinced  will 
at  some  future  period  circumscribe  the  whole  world. 

''Jesus  Christ  is  the  sole  head  of  the  church — the 
sacred  scriptures  are  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice— private  judgment  in  all  matters  of  religion  is 
an  inalienable  right — every  man  may  publicly  pro- 
fess that  religion  which  his  private  judgment  dictates 
to  be  from  God — the  church  ought  to  have  no  con- 
nection with  the  state,  for  Christ's  kingdom  is  not  of 
this  world." 

The  objections  which  the  Puritans  and  the  Non- 
conformist* originally  made  to  the  Episcopalian  es- 
tablishment of  England,  and  which  have  augmented 
their  force  with  every  succeeding  generation,  may  be 
subdivided  into  two  classes  ;  those  which  advert  to 
that  monstrous  coalition,  church  and  state  alo'ie  ;  n!id 
those  which  are  equally  applicable  to  episcopicy  as 
a  system,  whether  at  Rome.  Canterbury  or  in  this 
Union.  The  national  church  of  Engla»id  is  the  off- 
spring of  state  policy,  created  a?»d  preserved  bv  the 
civil  government,  merely  as  an  addilionid  ins<iii*^3«mt 
to  oppress  the  subjects  under  tfieir  sway — th^'  offices 
and  dignities  of  the  national  church  which  :re  un- 
scriptural  and  popish— the  system  of  patronage  which 
destroys  every  evangelical  privilege  secured  'o  chris- 
tians in  the  election  of  theirchurch  officers — and  the 


C^.NTURIES    XVI. XVlll:  ^359 

lyraiinical  persecuting  spirit  of  the  Hierarchy,  de- 
monstrating that  she  is  exactly  what  she  claims  to  be, 
the  legitimate  oflspring  of  that  Babylon  the  great, 
who  was  '•  drunken  with  the  blood  of  the  saints,  and 
with  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  of  Jesus"— these  consti- 
tute an  insurmountable  barrier  to  the  alliance  of  en- 
lightened christians  with  that  establishment,  whea 
worldly  interests  either  in  possession  or  hope,  excite 
no  adventitious  predilections. 

In  addition  to  the  sandy  foundation  upon  which 
the  Episcopalians  have  attempted  to  erect  their  su- 
perstructure, other  principles  of  opposition  are  sta- 
ted ;  which  suflice  to  alienate  all  those  who  are  evan- 
gelically instructed  from  Protestant  Episcopacy,  as^ 
it  has  ever  displayed  its  qualities  since  Elizabeth 
and  her  parliament  in  1560,  out  of  the  chaos  of  Po- 
pery, by  their  legislative  enactments,  gave  it  a  visi- 
ble form  and  indelible  character. 

"The  church,"  says  the  twentieth  article,  "has 
power  to  decree  rites  and  ceremonies,  and  authority 
in  matters  of  faith  ;"  that  is  the  very  deformity  of  por 
pery  without  a  mask!  An  unalterable  continually 
repeated  form  ot  prayer,  is  in  itself  most  decidedly 
objectionable  for  public  worship  ;  for  it  incapacitates 
the  minister  from  offering  supplications  to  God  ex- 
tempore, and  as  the  experience  of  many  centuries 
has  universally  evinced,  generally  eradicates  the 
spirit  of  devotion  in  the  w^orshippers  :  this  would  be 
an  insuperable  oflence,  its  being  always  the  parent 
of  lukewarmness  and  formality,  even  were  the  doc- 
triiics  and  spirit  otherwise  evangelical  ;  but  the 
modern  episcopalian  liturgical  service  is  additionally 
repulsive:  its  Popish  origin,  its  tedious  length,  its 
tiresome  repetitions,  its  anathematizing,  if  not  con- 
tradictory creeds,  its  errors  in  the  offices  ofbapiisra, 
confirmation,  visitation  of  the  sick,  and  the  burial 
service.  These  last  were  never  more  lucidly  and 
briefly  illusiiated  than  in  the  following  anecdote. 

"  Matthew  Mead  an  eminent  non-conformist,  was 
politely  addressed  by  a  nobleman,  '  I  am  sorry,  sir, 


360  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  LECTUCi:  XVII. 

we  liavo  i:Ot  a  p^rpon  of  yonr  abilities  in  the  estab- 
lished cliurcli.  Thej  woulJ  be  extensively  uselul 
there.''  You  do  not,  my  lord,  require  persons  of  great 
abilities  in  ilie  establishment.  '  Why  so,  sir.  what  do 
yon  meiiii .''''  A\!ien  you  ehristen  a  child,  you  rci^c- 
licratc  it  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  When  you  eonhrni  a 
yontli,  yoii  assure  him  of  God's  fa^■our  and  the  for- 
giveness of  sins.  When  you  visit  a  sick  person,  you 
absolve  him  from  all  his  iniquities;  and  uhen  you 
bury  the  dead  you  send  them  all  to  heaven.  Of 
"vvhat  particular  service  then  can  great   abilities  be 


in  your  communion 


?'' 


The  substitution  of  sponsors  for  parents,  and  the 
sign  of  the  cross  in  baptism — the  imposition  of  kneel- 
ing at  the  Lord's  supper — the  restriction  of  every 
minister  to  an  immutable  form  of  administering  the 
sacraments — and  the  almost  total  destitution  of  all 
christian  discipline  are  very  strong  counteracting 
impediments  to  the  union  of  spiritually  disposed  per- 
sons v,iih  a  system  where  Laodicean  inflation  and 
death-like  stupor  not  only  rule,  but  which  ar.tichris- 
tian  tempers,  all  its  sectarian  doctrines  and  canons 
are  calculated  to  nurture  and  perpetuate. 

But  if  all  these  diiiiculties  could  be  obviated,  one 
remains  ;  and  it  is  truly  amazirig.  how  any  pious  scrip- 
turally  intelligent  disciple  of  the  Redeemer  can 
submit  to  it,  that  is.  the  Iripartitc  orrlirwiion.  Nothing 
can  be  more  contradictory  to  the  simplicity  and  pu- 
rity of  the  Gospel,  or  the  analogy  of  faith,  than  E- 
piscopal  sentiments  and  practice  upon  this  topic  ; 
for  it  is  evident,  that  whatever  ordination  may  be, 
the  person  is  introduced  by  it  into  the  whole  ministry 
of  the  Gospel  New  Testament  ;  thererore  tliis 
bastard  poj)ery  is  utterly  destitute  of  foundation 
in  th'^  sacred  Scripture.  Thrice  must  the  Bishops 
hands  be  laid  on  tlie  head  of  the  candidate,  before 
it  recei\es  all  the  virtue  which  they  contain  and  im- 
part. The  first  imposition  makes  him  a  deacon  ;  by 
this  lie  is  qualified  "  to  assist  the  priest  when  lie  min- 
istereth  the  holy  communion,  and  to  help  him  in  the 


CKNTUllIES     XVI. XVIll.  36l 

distribution  thereof;  and  to  read  the  holy  Scriptures 
and  hoiiiilies  in  the  church  ;  and  to  instruct  the  youth 
in  the  catechism;  in  the  absence  of  the  priest  to 
baptize  infants,  and  to  preach,  if  he  be  admitted 
thereto  by  the  bishop."  More  than  these  the  dea- 
con cannot  do  without  a  second  touch.  But  why  is 
a  larger'measure  of  ecclesiastical  existence  necessa- 
ry to  dispense  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  supper 
than  the  ordinance  of  baptism?  But  after  a  deacon 
is  transmuted  into  a  priest,  a  certain  portion  of  vir- 
tue still  remains  in  the  ordainer  :  and  it  is  not  till  the 
third  touch  of  the  episcopal  hands  that  the  whole  of 
the  virtue  is  conveyed  ;  and  then  having  drained 
them  dry,  all  priestly  power  is  conferred,  and  the  per- 
son being  now  a  bishop  has  attained  the  full  stature 
of  a  perfect  ecclesiastical  man  :  and  besides  the  per- 
formance of  all  the  functions,  for  which  he  had  receiv- 
ed authority  by  his  previous  ordinations,  he  has 
acquired  ability  to  confirm  the  youth,  and  to  ordain 
deacons  and  priests.  This  ceremonial,  however, 
although  most  preposterous  and  indefensible,  is  a 
nonentity  compared  with  the  matter.  In  "  the  form 
for  ordering  priests,"  the  bishop  having  his  hand 
upon  the  candidate's  head,  says,  "receive  the  Holy 
Ghost  for  the  office  and  work  of  a  Priest;  whose  sins 
thou  dost  forgive,  they  are  forgiven,  and  whose  sins 
thou  dost  retain,  they  are  retained."  Episcopalians 
have  branded  almost  all  the  other  disciples  of 
Jesus,  except  the  Papists  from  whom  they  plead  lin- 
eal descent,  with  the  degrading  appellation  of  fanat- 
ics and  enthusiasts.  The  utmost  flights  of  the  anti- 
papists,  respecting  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
are  the  coolest  sobriety  of  reason  contrasted  with 
this  blasphemous  assumption  ;  they  would  really 
merit  the  stigma  of  arch  fanatics  and  arch  enthusiasts, 
did  they  believe  that  by  the  laying,  on  of  the  hands  of 
presbytery,  the  gift  of  the  Moly  Ghost  was  con- 
firmed, and  the  power  to  forgive  bins  was  received. 
Certainly  the  largest  portion  of  the  most  sublimated 
essence    of  fanaticism  and  enthusiasm,  which  was 


3(32  ECCLESIASitCAL    IIISTORV.  LECTURE  XV  i'. 

ever  seen  or  ktiowii  upon  earth,  is  concentrated 
at  an  Episcopal  ordination.  "  How  dreadful  is  it 
that  the  service  by  which  a  person  is  ordained  to 
the  most  solemn  office  should  contain  untruths  ! — 
That  a  bishop  should  introduce  a  person  into  the 
priest's  office  by  saying  what  is  untrue,  and  by  pro- 
fessing to  give  what  he  knows  he  cannot  give,  is 
sufficient  to  rend  the  hardest  heart  with  grief.  That 
the  person  too,  who  is  ordained,  should  hear  untruths 
solemnly  addressed  to  liim  in  a  highly  religious  act, 
and  profess  to  believe  that  he  receives  what  he  kitows 
he  does  not  receive,  and  what  neither  the  bishop  nor 
any  one  else  can  give,  is  deeply  to  be  deplored  by 
every  friend  of  truth.  Such  a  commencement  of  the 
priestly  office  augurs  ill  for  its  future  effects.  At 
the  consecration  of  a  bishop  there  is  a  repetition  of 
the  same  unedifying  scene.  The  bishop  ordaining 
addresses  an  untruth  to  the  bishop  ordained  :  the 
bishop  ordained  receives  the  untruth,  and  professes 
to  believe  it  as  a  sacred  verity,  and  to  go  forth  under 
such  an  impression  to  the  execution  of  his  exalted 
office.  Infidels  have  but  too  much  cause  to  scoff, 
and  to  ridicule  what  is  boasted  to  be  tF^e  fairest  re- 
presentation of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ. 

If  any  thing  more  were  requisite  to  develope  the 
true  character  of  this  mummery,  and  burlesque  upon 
the  Srjcred  volume,  and  the  gospel  ministry,  it  is 
discov'M-able  in  the  fact,  that  a  large  majority  of 
the  episcopal  bishops  .vr»d  priests,  from  the  first  or- 
gaiiizilion  of  the  Hierarchy  to  this  present  genera- 
tion, hive  denied  and  ridiculed  the  very  notion  of 
arjy  spiritual  communication  from  the  Great  Head  of 
the  chu'cli  to  his  fbllo'vers  in  the  regeneration  by 
the  Co  riforter,  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  nature  and  effects  of  religious  state  establish- 
menls.  have  also  lately  become  a  popular  subject  of 
inquiry:  and  all  those,  who  from  whatever  cause 
they  may  have  opposed  the  different  diocesan  Fpis- 
copacies,  have  coalesced,  in  arraying  themselvesl 
against  the  support  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  Jesus,] 


CENTURIES    iVI. XVIII.  363 

by  carnal  weapons  of  warflire  ;  but  the  living  and  in- 
fluential example  of  these  States  with  respect  to  the 
equality  of  all  religious  denominations  is  irresistible; 
and  aided  by  the  unrestricted  energies  of  the  press 
will  most  effectually  batter  down  the  Jericho  of  ec- 
clesiastical arrogance  and  corruption. 

It  is  neither  necessary  nor  practicable  to  describe 
all  the  minor  distinctions  into  which  the  theological 
interpretations  oi  divine  revelation  are  subdivided  : 
many  sects  are  separated  merely  by  ceremonial  ob- 
servances, or  by  differential  shades  so  unimportant, 
that  it  is  difficult  to  divine  the  causes  of  their  pro-* 
longed  alienation  from  each  other ;  and  this  is  pecu-  * 
liarly  the  case  in  reference  to  the  prominent  and 
essential  doctrines  of  the  sacred  Scriptures. 

During  the  present  age,  the  spirit  of  sectarian 
bigotry  has  indubitably  decreased  in  an  immense 
ratio — large  quantities  of  antichristian  coldness  have 
been  immolated  upon  the  altar  of  evangelical  phi- 
lanthropy— ^and  a  considerable  portion  of  the  steam 
of  strife  has  become  mingled  with  the  purer  fire  for 
the  welfare  of  men,  which  is  enkindled  by  a  devoted 
attachment  to  the  honour  of  Jesus,  and  a  burning 
zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  But  Christianity 
unfolds  a  still  more  brilliannt  prospect,  and  encou- 
rages us  to  exult  in  the  approach  of  that  auspicious 
morning,  when  our  corruption,  liability  to  error, 
prejudices,  and  voluntary  blindness,  the  sources  of 
all  controversy,  shall  vanish  away,  and  the  irradia- 
tions of  truth  shall  be  so  splendid,  uniform,  operative 
and  universal,  that  "  the  light  of  the  moon  shall  be 
as  the  light  of  the  sun.  and  the  light  of  the  sun  shall 
be  sevenfold,  as  the  light  of  seven  days. 

Hasten,  O  Lord,  that  glorious  era  !  Amen. 


The  Independents  or  Congregationalists — the  Baptists — 
the  Moravians — the  Methodists — and  the  Quakers — 
with  the  minor  denominations. 


These  divisions  constitute  the  principal  bodies  of 
modern  Christians  ;  but  to  avoid  misconception,  it 
^  is  necessary  to  particularize  wherein  these  terms  are 
applied.  iNo  distinction  exists  between  the  Congre- 
gationalists and  the  Baptists,  strictly  so  called,  either 
in  theological  doctrines,  or  ecclesiastical  discipline; 
the  barrier  between  these  dissidents,  consisting  mere- 
ly in  the  mode  and  subject  of  Christian  baptism.  One 
fact  connected  with  this  topic  is  truly  remarkable; 
all  the  Baptist  Churches  without  exception,  have  u- 
niformly  been  organized  upon  the  principles  of  the 
Independents  :  and  although  these  have  always  been 
the  cliief  supporters  of  the  Calvinistic  standards,  nev- 
ertheless all  those  who  have  associated  together  to 
establish  their  own  diiferent  explications  ofChristian- 
ity  have  adopted  the  Congregational  system  :  thus, 
the  Antinomians  when  not  as  individuals,  incorpora- 
ted with  any  so(tiety  ;  the  Universalists  of  every 
grade  from  the  Believers  in  a  temporary  purgatory 
and  linal  hell-redemption,  to  the  absolute  rejecters 
of  all  tuture  putiishment  ;  the  General  Baptists,  of  all 
classes  of  opinions  ;  and  the  offspring  of  Socinus, 
whether  they  be  semi-;\rians,  or  mere  Humanitarians, 
are  in  their  congregated  capacities  all  governed  ac- 
cording to  the  discipline  of  the  early  Independents 
— and  hence,  in  these  States,  a  perfect  misapprehen- 
sion of  the  character  of  the  primitive  Puritans  and 
their  lineal  successors  has  long  existed  to  the  great 
injury  of  the  most  dignified  men  in  the  Protestant 
world.  1.     Many  of  the  Congregationalists  occasion- 

1.  Appendix.  XXn. 


CENTURIES  XYI. XVlil.  SQ5 

ally,  and  the  Methodists  systematically  practice  both 
methods  of  administering  the  water  in  tlie  baptismal 
ordinance,  and  to  infants  and  adults — therelore.  the 
system  of  exclusion  is  founded  upon  principles  on 
which  they  disagree,  which  oi  course  must  be  consid- 
ered paramount  to  those  upon  which  the  parties  are 
at  concord.  Respecting  their  numbers,  the  United 
Brethren  or  Moravians  are  very  inferior  to  either  of 
the  other  principal  sects  ;  but  they  claim  a  xery  dis- 
tinguished station  among  the  followers  of  the  Lamb, 
on  account  of  their  unwearied  diligence,  and  widely 
extended  missionary  efforts,  as  from  their  body,  pri- 
marily appeared  those  who  sacrificed  all  earthly 
hopes  upon  the  altar  of  Christian  philanthropy  for 
the  souls  of  men.  In  doctrinal  opinions,  they  are 
much  in  union  with  the  Methodists  ;  and  in  many  oi 
their  regulations,  there  is  a  great  analogy  ;  but  the 
connection  which  subsisted  between  the  primitive 
Methodists  and  the  Moravians  has  long  been  dissol- 
ved ;  and  notwithstanding  their  general  similitude, 
they  are  now  as  completely  severed  as  any  other  of 
the  modern  sects.  The  differences  between  the 
Methodists,  the  Quakers,  and  the  other  denomina- 
tions are  more  perceptible  and  important,  ft  must 
also  be  remembered,  that  many  of  the  English  Non- 
conformists in  1662,  were  Presbyterians  in  discipline; 
but  they  gradually  either  renounced  or  did  not  con- 
tend for  their  sentiments  ;  and  from  the  oppressions^ 
of  the  tyrants  Charles  and  James  ;  and  the  iiwestiga- 
tions  and  controversies  respecting  the  nature  of  a 
Christian  Church,  the  Presbyterians  in  England  grad- 
ually declined  ;  and  although  at  the  period  of  the 
resolution  in  1688,  they  continued  more  numerous 
than  either  the  Independents  or  Baptists,  yet  the  pre- 
dominance of  the  Episcopal  hierarchy,  with  the  jea- 
lousy of  the  civil  government  respecting  all  large  ec- 
clesiastical bodies,  the  ab'-olute  impracticability  of 
enforcing  the  Presbyterian  system  in  its  compactness 
and  detail,  amplified  influence  of  the  Congregational 
discipline,  and  increasing  repugnance  of  the  Englisk 


306  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XVIIJ, 

Dissenters  to  all  ecclesiastical  legislative  judicatories, 
has  almost  totally  extirpated  them.  The  Congrega- 
tions which  were  originally  collected  by  the  Noncon- 
formists of  that  denomination,  are  now  embodied  with 
the  Independents  ;  or  retaining  their  ancient  appel- 
lation, without  their  characteristics,  for  the  sake  of 
the  property  which  has  been  bequeathed  to  the 
minister  and  the  hearers  in  that  house  of  worship, 
are  become  societies  in  which  every  species  of  dis- 
cordant error  may  be  discovered.  This  statement, 
however,  does  not  apply  to  the  churches  on  the  bor- 
ders of  Scotland,  many  of  which  are  connected  with 
some  of  the  different  Presbyteries  which  have  ori- 
ginated in  the  Secession. 

The  northern  part  of  Ireland  was  occupied  after 
the  Reformation,  chiefly  by  the  Scotch,  who  estab- 
lished their  own  church  platform  as  determined  by 
John  Knox  and  his  brethren.  But  notwithstanding 
their  primary  success  with  the  Papists,  and  their  sted- 
fast  adhesion  to  the  exterior  of  the  Presbyterian  sys- 
tem, the  Irish  section  of  that  denomination,  including 
the  English  Puritans  who  united  with  them,  from  a 
variety  of  causes  has  never  exhibited  very  prominent 
symptoms  of  energy  and  fertility.  The  almost  incu- 
rable prejudices  and  antipathy  of  the  Papists,  the 
oppressions  of  the  Episcopal  Hierarchy,  the  degra- 
dation and  wretchedness  ot  the  people  in  conse- 
quence of  the  unceasing  devastations -occasioned  by 
military  despotism,  and  the  departure  from  the  stand- 
ards of  doctrine,  all  co-operating  together  have  ob- 
structed the  progress,  beclouded  the  lustre  and 
blighted  the  fruitfulness  of  this  part  of  tho  Reformed 
vineyard.  Similar  causes  have  tended  both  in  Scot- 
land and  Ireland  to  the  diminution  of  Presbyterial 
authority.  Political  expedioicy  ever  shitting  and 
temporary,  not  the  oracular  prescriptions  of  the  gos- 
pel, has  so  often  determined  their  proceedi)!gs,  that 
upon  any  interesting  or  important  topic,  no  person  of 
understanding,  now  anticipates  a  jus^  d^-cision  from 
the  General  Assembly  of  Scotland,  or  the  Synod  of 


CENTUIUES     XVI. XVIII.  367 

Ulster;  ifto  this  vve  subjoin  the  invariable  persecu- 
tions with  which  they  have  assailed  every  man,  whose 
conscience  would  not  permit  him  to  subscribe  to  their 
contradictory  resolutions,  or  their  outrageous  pros- 
criptions, we  need  not  be  surprised,  that  the  Congre- 
tional  tree  is  at  present  diverging  its  branches  into 
all  parts  ot"  these  Presbyterian  domains,  and  with  a 
rapidity  and  success  for  which  nothing  could  account, 
but  their  well  known  disregard  of  their  doctrinal 
confession,  and  their  authoritative  assumption  over 
the  rights  and  consciences  of  Christians.  With  this 
illustration  upon  wtiich  it  may  be  necessarj'  again  to 
enlarge,  the  history  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  each 
sect,  and  their  present  condition  in  Europe,  will 
briefly  be  narrated. 

The  Independents. 
This  communion  is  distinguished  by  maintaining 
that  every  distinct  society  of  Christians,  united  for 
religious  fellowship  and  worship,  is,  according  to  the 
Scriptures,  a  church,  possessed  of  full  powers  to  regu- 
late its  own  concerns,  and  independent  of  all  foreign 
controul.  "  There  are  in  the  New  Testament  but 
two  original  senses  of  the  word  which  can  be  called 
diflTerent,  though  related  ;  one  i$  when  it  denotes  a 
number  of  people  actually  assembled,  or  accustomed 
to  assemble  together,  and  is  then  properly  rendered 
by  the  Etiglish  terms  congiegation,  convention,  as- 
sembly, and  even  sometimes  crowd.  The  other  sense 
is,  to  denote  a  society  united  together  by  some  com- 
mon tie  ;  though  not  convened,  perhaps  not  convena- 
ble  in  one  place.  Where  the  word  is  appropriated, 
as  it  generally  is  in  the  New  Testament,  it  denotes 
either  a  single  congregation  of  Christians,  in  corres- 
pondence to  the  first,  or  the  whole  Christian  commu- 
nity, in  correspondence  to  the  second.  But  in  any 
intermediate  sense,  between  a  single  congregation 
and  the  whole  Christian  community,  which  has  been 
called  the  catholic  or  universal  cKurch,  not  one  in- 
stance can  bebrought  of  the  application  of  the  word 
in  sacred  writ." 


3o8  FCCLESlASriCAL     HISTORY.       LECTURE    XV III. 

No  way  exists  of  reaching  the  sense  of  onr  Lord's 
instructions,  '  tell  it  to  the  church,  but  by  uuderstarKl- 
iiii^iiis  uordsas  they  must  have  been  understood  by  lii;^ 
he.irers.  The  word  is  used  in  the  Old  Testament  in 
two  dilierent  but  related  senses  ;  one  is  for  a  whole 
nation,  as  constituting  one  commonwealth  or  polity, 
the  other  is  for  a  particular  congregation  or  assembly, 
convened  in  the  same  place.  Now  as  the  nature  of 
the  thing  sutficiently  shows  that  our  Lord  did  not  em- 
ploy it  in  tfie  first  of  the  two  senses,  so  as  to  require 
that  every  private  quarrel  should  be  made  a  national 
afiair,  we  are  under  a  necessity  of  understanding  it  in 
the  last,  as  regarding  the  particular  congregation  to 
which  the  parties  belonged.  Hence,  if  '•  the  visible 
church  is  a  congregation  of  faithful  men  ;"  a  national 
establishment,  and  even  a  representative  hierarchy 
must  equally  be  exploded  as  unscriptural. 

This  denomination  maintains  the  right  ofthe  church 
or  the  whole  body  of  christians,  to  receive  or  reject 
their  members,  and  to  choose  all  their  own  officers  ; 
and  their  principle,  which  requires  the  possession  of 
real  religion  in  a  member  participating  in  the  ordi- 
nances ofthe  Gospel,  preserves  them  from  intoler- 
ance and  persecution  ;  as  none  can  partake  in  the  re- 
gulation of  their  ecclesiastical  concerns,  except  those 
who  protess  to  deny  themselves,  take  up  their  cross 
and  follow  Christ.  They  consider  that  the  Apostolic 
cliurches  were  all  Con.>;regational,  and  so  would  have 
continued,  had  they  not  been  desecrated  by  the  ear- 
ly corruptions,  and  swallowed  up  by  the  spirit  of  am- 
bitious domination  over  the  consciences  of  men  ;  and 
upon  a  tew  funda;nental  axioms,  they  build  their 
house,  which  tliey  assert  is  founded  upon  a  rock. 

The  sacred  scripture  contains  the  whole  of  reli- 
gion ;  and  it  alonv  h  is  an  authoritative  power  to  bind 
in  matters  of  faith  »nd  prictice.  Nothing  ought  to 
be  inserted  in  any  creed,  or  system  of  religion,  which 
is  not  f^vidently  to  be  found  in  this  book.  Things 
not  enjoined  ii.\  the  sacred  scriptures,  they  insist, 
should  be  left  indiflferent ;    so  that  Christians  may 


I 


GENTURIES     XVI. XVllJ.  369 

praclice  or  abstain  from  them,  as  conscience  dic- 
tates or  expediency  directs.  The  civil  iiif^gisli-ate, 
they  saj,  has  no  authority  in  the  church  ofChrist. 
The  Christian  religion  is  entirely  spiritual,  and  not 
blended  witfi  the  smallest  mixture  of  political  institu- 
lioiis.  Its  offices  are  to  be  filled,  and  its  duties  are 
to  be  performed  by  disciples  ofChrist,  in  an  indi- 
vidual capacity.  It  interferes  not  v\ith  the  regula- 
tions of  human  government  :  "  Christ's  kingdom  is 
not  of  this  world.''  It  is  fitted  to  subsist  under  any 
government  without  interleriiig  with  their  operations. 
And  in  llie  exhibitions  of  Cliristianity  through  the 
whole  of  the  New  Testament  not  a  single  hint  is  ever 
<;iven,  that  the  civil  rulers  of  tiie  country  are  at  all  to 
interfere  with  tlie  church  of  Christ,  so  as  to  frame 
regulations  for  his  disciples,  or  to  exert  an  authorita- 
tive influence  in  its  affairs. 

Nothing  more,  they  assert,  should  be  required,  in 
order  to  Christian  communion,  than  Christ  has  re- 
quired ;  and  all  terms  ol  human  invention,  in  addition 
to  Christ's,  authoritatively  enforced  on  the  conscien- 
ces of  men  by  civil  or  ecclesiastical  rulers  are  ex- 
ceedingly sinful.  They  maintain  that  every  man  has 
a  right  to  judge  for  himself  in  matters  of  religion;  that 
all  are  on  a  level  with  respect  to  the  right  of  enjoy- 
ing liberty  of  conscience  and  of  worship;  and  that 
each  is  under  equal  obligations  to  yield  to  one  an- 
other, for  the  sake  of  peace,  and  in  order  to  the 
maintainiijg  of  brotherly  affection  and  Christian  com- 
munion. 

It  has  already  been  intimated,  that  the  Puritans 
originated  in  a  controversy  respecting  the  extent  to 
which  the  reformation  in  the  church  of  England 
should  be  extended.  The  priestly  robes  furnished 
the  first  subject  of  contentio  i.  The  garments  in 
which  they  were  commanded  to  officiate,,  were  worn 
by  the  popisli  priests  in  the  days  of  superstition,  and 
were  considered,  both  by  priests  and  people,  as 
essentially  connected  with  the  wonder-working  part 
^f  their  office,    and  without   which    these  marvels 

2  y 


S70  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOKV.  LFXTURE  XVIlJ 

could  not  be  done.  When  bishop  Latimer,  in  the 
course  of  liis  degradation,  on  being  stripped  of  one 
ot"  liis  garments  said,  "  Now  I  can  make  no  more  holy 
water,"  he  spoke  both  the  sentiments  of  the  multitude 
and  the  sentiments  ofthe  prelatei  of  theRomish  church 
The  pomp  and  authority  of  the  diocesan  bishops,  ihe 
number  of  clergymen  who  were  unable  to  preach, 
the  want  of  discipline,  and  the  popish  remnants  in 
the  system,  were  loudly  censured  and  a  reform  was 
implored.  The  puritans  w vote  admonitions  to  jjirlia- 
ment^  Whitgift  answered  them,  and  Cartwright  re- 
plied ;  the  tbrmer  was  paid  for  his  heterodoxy,  by 
being  elevated  to  tlie  archbishopric  of  Canterbury  ; 
-the  latter  who  was  the  champion  for  the  truth,  was 
remunerated  for  his  services,  with  poverty,  exile 
and  imprisonment.  At  this  period,  1580,  Robert 
Brown  propagated  his  opinions  with  great  zeal  in 
England,  and  after  having  been  confined  in  thirty 
two  dungeons  and  prisons,  he  fled  to  Holland,  and 
there  established  a  church.  Persecution  raged 
against  the  adherents  of  his  opinions;  they  were  scour- 
ged, robbed,  confined,  and  some  hanged  ;  but  in  vain, 
the  doctrines  were  immortal,  and  were  diffused  with 
astonishing  rapidity. 

In  1.592,  another  church  was  formed  in  London; 
these  were  obliged  to  change  their  place  of  meeting 
continually,  as  the  high  commission  searched  for 
them  with  the  keenness  of  blood-hounds  ;  they  were 
finnllv  discovered,  on  the  same  spot  where  the  pro- 
testants  assembled  for  fear  of  the  Papist  tormentors 
during  Mary's  sanguinary  government. 

Fifty-six  of  them  were  sent  prisonere  to  different 
jails  about  London,  where  they  had  the  melancholy 
consolation  of  finding  many  of  their  brethren  confined 
for  the  same  crime  of  worshipping  God.  When  they 
imagined  that  twelve  months  confinement  had  suffi- 
ciently broken  the  spirit  of  Mr.  Smith,  they  asked 
him  whether  he  would  go  to  church.  He  answered, 
"  that  were  he  to  do  U,  he  should  only  play  the  hypo- 
crite, to  avoid  trouble;  for  he  judged  it  utterly  uii- 


QKNTURIES    1>.\1. XYlll.  371 

lawful."  To  this  one  of  the  commissioners  replied, 
"  come  to  church  and  obey  the  queen's  Invis;  and 
be  a  dissembler,  a  hypocrite,  or  a  devil  ii'lhou  wilt." 
These  much-injured  men  complain  of  such  treatment 
as  was  worthy  only  of  a  Spanish  inquisition.  By 
these  cruelties,  many  of  them  perished  in  piison. 
On  the  coffin  of  one  of  them,  whose  name  was  Roger 
Rippon,  his  fellow-prisoners  inscribed  the  words  of 
the  royal  preacher,  "  oppression  makes  a  wise  man 
mad."  They  were  beaten,  and  doomed  to  still  se- 
verer confinement,  for  not  atlendinf^  the  service  of 
the  established  church  in  tiie  jail,  to  which  they 
were  brought  for  renouncing  that  service  as  unscrip- 
tural. 

Barrow  requested  that  he  might  be  allowed  a  con- 
ference, to  investigate  the  truth.  But  this  was  refu- 
sed ;  for  it  was  not  truth  or  reason,  but  submission, 
which  the  persecutors  wished  to  obtain.  He,  as 
well  as  Mr.  Greenwood,  his  companion  in  suffering, 
w^ere  condemned  to  die,  and  were  hanged  at  Tyburn, 
breathing  such  a  spirit  of  piety  towards  God,  and 
such  loyal  prayers  for  the  queen's  prosperity,  that 
when  she  was  told  in  what  manner  they  died,  she 
discovered  a  momentary  pang  of  regret. 

Shortly  after  Mr.  John  ap  Henry,  was  seized  and 
condemned  for  the  same  crime.  Though  he  decla- 
red, that  not  a  day  passed  over  his  head,  in  w  hich 
he  did  not  commend  the  queen's  estate  to  God,  his 
death-warrant  was  signed  by  the  archbishop.  It 
was  immediately  sent  to  the  sheriff!  who  erected 
the  gallows  the  same  day,  seized  the  victim  at  din- 
ner, and  hanged  him  in  the  afternoon. 

The  controversy  was  continued.  Hooker  devoted 
a  large  part  of  his  life  to  writing  his  ecclesiastical 
jao/i/y,  which  contains  all  that  ingenuity  and  literature 
can  adduce  in  favour  of  episcopacy  and  religious 
establishments.  "The  architecture  of  the  fabric  re- 
sembles Dagon's  temple;  it  rests  mainly  upon  two 
grand  pillars,  which  as  long  as  they  continue  sound, 
will  support  all  its  weight.     The  tirst  is  "  tliat  the 


37: 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOUY. 


LECTUP.E  XVlll 


church  of  Christ  like  all  other  societies,  has  power 
to  make  laws  tor  its  well  br'ing  ;"  and  the  second, 
that  where  the  sncred  ScripUncs  are  silent,  luiinnn 
authority  may  interpose."'  But  if  some  Sampson 
can  be  found  to  shake  these  pillars  from  their  base, 
the  whole  edifice,  with  the  lords  of  the  Philistines 
in  their  seats,  and  the  multitude  with  which  it 
is  crowded,  will  be  involved  in  one  common  ruin. 
Grant  these  two  principles,  and  his  arguments  can- 
not be  confuted.  S^ut  if  a  puritan  can  show  that  tlie 
church  of  Christ  is  diiferent  from  all  civil  societies, 
because  Christ  hnd  framed  a  constitution  for  it,  while 
he  left  them  entirely  to  the  exercise  of  their  own 
wisdom  r  and  that  where  the  scriptures  are  silent, 
and  neither  enjoin  nor  forbid,  no  himian  association 
has  a  right  to  interpose  its  authority,  but  should 
leave  the  matter  indifferent  ;  in  such  a  case  the  sys- 
tem would  not  be  more  stable  than  that  of  the  philo- 
sopher, who  rested  the  earth  upon  the  back  of  an 
elephant,  and  that  upon  a  tortoise,  and  that  upon 
nothing."  But  as  error  is  progressive,  so  it  appear- 
ed in  this  disputation:  the  primitive  Reformers  de- 
clared, that  the  episcopal  establishment,  was  merely 
a  creature  of  state  and  expedient.  Whitgift  defen- 
ded it,  because  it  was  conformed  to  the  church  in 
the  fourth  century ;  but  Bancroft,  boldly  proclaimed 
that  the  order  of  diocesan  ^bishops  was  of  divine  au- 
thority ;  which,  with  the  zeal  for  the  ceremonial 
mummery  borrowed  from  their  Romish  Mother,  dis- 
played by  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  authorities, 
increased  the  number  of  Puritans,  and  rendered  all 
communion  and  harmony  utterly  impracticable. 

The  independents  from  this  period  continued  to 
worship  in  secret,  and  were  often  obliged  to  remove, 
so  that  in  England  they  were  almost  unknown,  except 
from  the  press,  by  which  they  maintained  and  pro- 
pagated their  principles. 

John  Robinson  gathered  a  church  on  these  prin- 
ciples at  Leyden;  in  his  apology,  he  writes,  erery 


CENTURIES   XVF. —  XV  111.  .iTil 

particular  society  is  a  complete  church;  and  ns  far 
as  regards  otlier  churches,  immediately  aiul  inde- 
pendenliv  under  Christ  alone.  "Hence  they  were 
called  independents.  The  churcli  at  Leydcn  «rrtd- 
u;illy  diminished;  for  while  the  aged  members  were 
removed  by  death,  their  children  married  into  Dutch 
families  ;  it  was  therelbre  determined  after  much 
consuhaiion,  that  the  younger  pnit  of  them  should 
remove  to  America,  where  they  might  at  oiice  pre- 
serve their  church  from  extinction,  and  attord  aa 
asilum  to  their  brethren  from  Ei;g!nr.d. 

The  independent  divines  who  had  lied  to  Holland, 
were  allowed  to  assemble  in  the  Dutch  churclies, 
after  the  [lours  of  the  national  worsliip.  Here  they 
availed  tlicmselves  of  the  liberty  and  leisure  of  their 
exile  to  stud}  the  doctrines  of  the  scriptures  con- 
cerning church  government.  But  when  the  change 
of  the  times  invited  their  return,  and  afforded  an  op- 
por'unity  for  the  declaration  of  their  principles,  ihey 
published  an  apologetical  narration  which  they  pre- 
sented to  the  house  of  commons  in  the  year  one  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  forty-three.  The  presbyte- 
rians,  who  were  now  labouring  to  establish  their  dis- 
cipline, in  the  place  of  the  old  hierarchy,  vvere  much 
offended  with  this  step,  which  tended  to  obstruct 
their  schemes.  The  parliament  appointed  the  grand 
committee  of  accommodation,  to  accomplish  an  union 
between  the  two  parties,  if  possible;  but  if  not,  to 
contrive  some  way  in  which  the  independents  might 
enjoy  liberty. 

These  efforts  for  accommodation  came  to  nothing ; 
for  the  presby  terians  reflected  severely  on  the  indepen- 
dents for  asserting  that  uniformity  ought  to  be  pressed 
no  further  than  is  agreeable  to  the  consciences  of 
men,  and  the  general  edification.  The  leading  men 
in  the  army  either  avowed  themselves  i:)depei:dents, 
or  patrons  of  that  toleration,  which  had  been  de- 
nounced as  the  idol  of  this  communion. 

Cromwell  espoused  the  same  cause,  and  nominated 
theijr  principal  divines  to  be  his  chaplains,  as  well  as 


374  EOOLESIASTICAL     HISTORY.  LECTURE  XV III. 

to  fill  the  most  important  places  in  the  universities. 
As  their  churches  had  much  increased  in  En2:land, 
-they  requested  leave  of  the  governmpfil  to  hold  a  sy- 
nod, in  order  to  publish  to  the  world  an  account  of 
their  faith  and  order.  To  this  the  protector  consent- 
ed. The  meeting  of  the  synod  was  held  at  the  Savoy. 
inl658.  The  pastors  and  delegates  of  more  than  a 
hundred  congregational  churches  being  assembled, 
drew  up  their  confession  of  faith.  It  much  resembles 
the  Assembly's  catechism,  but  has  for  an  appendix,  a 
chapter  on  the  institution  of  churches,  and  the  order 
appointed  by  Jesus  Christ. 

Public  theological  disputations  were  appointed, 
but  without  harmonizing  the  disputants  ;  and  many 
volumes  were  issued  in  this  warfare.  The  most  fa- 
mous work  was  Calderwood's  AUare  Damascenuni  ; 
which  very  much  displeased  King  James.  One  of  the 
Bishops  to  comtort  him,  promised  to  confute  it;  he 
retorted,  "Man,  what  answer  can  you  give,  here  is  no- 
thing but  the  Scripture,  reason,  and  (he  Fathers." 
During  Cromwell's  tolerating  protectorate,  little  was 
written  upon  the  subj<'ct  of  church  government. 
From  the  restoration  of  Charles  IF.  to  the  revolution 
by  William,  a  period  of  nearly  29  years,  the  history  of 
the  non-conformists  in  England,  of  the  dissentip<r  de- 
nominations, Presbyterians,  Independents.  Baptists, 
and  Quakers,  is  little  more  than  a  catalogue  of  atro- 
cious crimes  on  the  part  of  church  and  state,  and  a 
record  of  every  species  of  deprivation  and  agony  ex- 
perienced by  the  unoffending  christians  who  were  the 
subjects  of  their  unfeeling  bigotry  and  despotism. 
Exactions,  imprisonment,  exile  to  America,  denial 
of  trial  by  jury,  conviction  upon  the  oath  of  a  single 
informer,  who  received  a  third  of  the  exorbitant  fine, 
and  exclusion  from  almost  all  the  ordinary  modes  of 
procuring  subsistence,  was  the  mercy  of  the  Hi'^rar- 
chy  towards  those  conscientious  disciples.  "  Though 
they  were  not  actually  burnt  alive,  they  were  inten- 
tionally starved  to  denth  :  but  whil«^  enrth  ind  hell 
were  against  them,  heaven  appeared  in  their  behalf; 


CENTVFIES    XVI. XVIII.  375 

scai-c€ly  Elijah  himself  was  more  immediately  fed  by 
Jehovcih."  Who  without  horror  can  attempt  to  real- 
ize that  state  of  society,  in  which  such  men  as  Calamy, 
Baxter,  ouiiycin,  and  Owen,  with  thousands  of  others 
like  them  were  either  imprisoned,  robbed,  or  calum- 
niated, and  perfectly  impeded  in  the  exercise  of  their 
ministry  ?  But  the  abdication  of  James  II.  and  the 
seiilement  of  William  ill.  on  the  throne  removed  all 
these  evils,  and  by  the  act  of  toleration  the  various 
dissenting  denominations  have  continued  generally 
in  peace  :  two  attempts  only  of  any  importance  hav- 
ing been  made  to  demolish  their  rights  of  conscience 
— one,  under  Q,ueen  Anne,  which  had  been  adopted 
by  the  Parliumeiit,  and  which  would  have  banished, 
iniil^  operation,  myriads  of  the  best  Christians  in  the 
islaiida,  to  the  United  States;  but  death  interrupted 
all  the  projects  of  the  infidel  and  high  church  minis- 
ters then  in  power,  for  Anne  died  on  the  morning  on 
which  the  act  was  to  have  commenced  its  operations, 
and  -be  statute  became  of  no  force. 

1  lie  other  scheme  was  tried  about  1 1  years  since  ; 
but  during  the  century  which  had  elapsed  from  x\nne's 
death,  the  Dissenters  had  become  so  numerous  and 
powerful,  that  the  whole  design  was  frustrated  mere- 
ly by  the  overwhelming  multitude  of  petitions  against 
the  tyrannic  measure  introduced  before  the  House  of 
Lords,  which  in  one  day  dashed  all  the  haughty  ex- 
pectations of  the  Hierarchs  into  confusion;  and  the 
menace  of  a  remaining  indefinite  quantity  of  memo- 
rials to  the  same  effect  intimidated  them  so  much  that 
they  expressed  their  utter  astonishment  at  the  nu- 
merical force,  opulence,  and  learning  of  those  whom 
they  afTected  to  despise;  and  voluntarily  admitting 
their  impotency  to  effect  their  object,  permitted  the 
measure  to  be  unanimously  rejected. 

The  history  of  the  Independents  contains  no  very 
remarkable  events  since  the  toleration  act  was  estab- 
lis'ied  ;  their  increase  has  been  uniform,  and  they  are 
now  considerably  more  numerous  tlian  either  of  the 
other  denominations,  and  it  is  generally   understood 


:J76  ecclesiastical  history.  lecture  XVIII. 

nre  iriultijljing  whh  cjreat  rapidity.  Tliis  body  of 
Christians  ranks  the  hiirfiesi  in  the  catalouge  ol  bone- 
factors  to  the  human  family  ;  they  have  invariably 
been  the  ardent  friends  of  ifie  rights  of  conscience, 
stern  enemies  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  despotism 
under  any  modification,  and  by  their  writings  and  ef- 
iorts  have  contributed  more  to  tlie  illumination  and 
advantage  of  mankind,  than  either,  iliiot  all,  the  other 
denominations  united.  To  the  English  Dissenters, 
the  world  are  under  inconceivable  obligations — to 
iLem  we  owe  the  flood  of  religious  tracts,  which  are 
carrying  the  everlasting  gospel,  if  a  scriptural  phrase 
may  without  the  desecration  of  Jehovah  be  appro- 
priated ;  ••'  upon  the  winces  of  the  wind" — belore  tiieir 


o 


labours  exhibited  by  Carey,  Mars'imin,  Morrison.  &c. 
Juggernaut  wit'i  the  Sh  isters  will  be  burnt,  and  Con- 
fucius and  Fo  ivill  be  tbrgotton — and  while  the  high- 
flying Episcopalians  have  exerted  all  their  energies 
with  the  i'apists,  to  counteract,  if  not  to  demolish  the 
institutions  organized  to  disseminate  the  Aonderful 
worivs  of  God  iii  every  language,  the  Biblo  Societies 
originally  received  trom  the  Dissenters  in  England  an 
impetus  which  nothing  terresiri  il  will  ever  be  able 
eflectually  to  derange  or  obstruct.  One  circum- 
stance connected  with  the  annals  of  the  Independents 
and  Baptists  furnishes  abundant  matter  for  scrutiny  ; 
by  the  principles  of  their  constitution,  they  are  not 
respoiisible  to  any  extraneous  jurisdiction,  they  have 
no  formally  established  creed  of  fiith,  they  have  no 
auih:>rised  rules  of  discipline  generally  considered 
as  obligatory,  they  have  no  standard  for  doctrine  or 
practice,  but  the  sacred  Scriptures;  and  notwith- 
standing,nosocieties  in  the  records  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  have  maintained  or  do  combine  so  com- 
plete an  identity  both  in  theological  sentiment  and 
ecclesiastical  regulations,  as  these  churches'which 
are  only  united  by  th:;  general  communion  of  saints. 
This  unii^ue  fact  admits  of  one  solution  only,  their 
house  is  built  upon  the  rock  of  ages ;  and  evinces  one 
truth  beyond  all  contradiction,  that  persecution  for 


ccxTuniKS    XVI. — xviii.  377 

conscience' sake  is  as  absurd  and  inefTeclual,  as  it  is 
iniquitoac-.  At  present,  the  essential  principles  o^ 
the  English  Dissenters  predominate  throughout  the 
Proteslaal  portion  of  Christendom,  and  tliese  con- 
federated slates,  with  the  South  American  Rppubhcs, 
having  adopted  ihcm  as  the  corner  stone  of  a!!  their 
political  iribric,  they  may  safely  be  declared  inexiin- 
guishabie,  coeval  wifh  the  existence  of  tlie  human 
family,  and  equally  predominant  and  extensive  a^-  the 
gospel  of  Christ;  until  during  the  Millenium,  all 
sectarian  distinctions  will  be  absorbed  by  "  the  uni- 
ty of  the  spirit  m  the  bond  of  peace,"  and  there  shall 
be  '•  one  God,  one  faith,  and  one  baptism."  In  Eng- 
land and  Wales,  the  Independents  now  number  near- 
ly 1500  Congreoations  ;  many  of  them  the  largest 
bodies  of  worshippers  in  the  Christian  world  ;  be- 
sides a  continually  increasing  extension  of  their  soci- 
eties in  Scotland  and  Ireland. 

The  Baptists. 
It  has  already  been  remarked  that  those  who  main- 
tain the  peculiar  tenets  of  this  denomination,  in  all 
points  assent  to  the  Iridependents.  except  on  the  mode 
and  subject  of  Baptism,  and  the  qualitication  for  an 
admission  to  the  Lord's  Supper.  During  the  early 
period  of  their  history,  they  were  obliged  to  contend 
against  persecution  in  all  its  horrors,  but  they  perse- 
vered ;  and  eventually  obtained  a  share  of  the  bless- 
ings ol  legal  toleration  in  Great  Britain.  The  promi- 
nent characteristic  of  the  early  Baptists  was  a  deci- 
ded opposition  to  all  literature  in  their  preachers  ; 
as  an  luiavoidable  consequence  of  which  principle, 
they  continued  to  maintain  but  a  xevy  minor  propor- 
tion to  the  other  sects.  Since  their  ministers  have 
blazoned  forth  in  meridian  splendor,  and  especially 
since  their  most  honoiu'able  missionaries  at  Seram- 
pore  have  astounded  the  world  with  the  exhibition  of 
the  most  splendid  human  qualities,  the  Baptists  have 
mn.ch  enlarged  their  numbers  ;  but  their  increase  has 
followed,  not  from  their  adherence  to  their  principles 
of  exclusion,  but  chiefly  from  their  departure  from 
2  Z 


378  ECCLKSIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XYlif. 

the  original  dogmas  of  the  bigots  of  the   past  genera- 
tions. 

The  first  Baptist  church  such  as  it  is  at  present  or- 
ganized, appears  in  the  history  of  Menno,  nearly  20 
years  after  the  commencement  of  the  Reformation  ; 
but  this  society  was  so  buried  among  the  struggles 
for  freedom  and  the  Gospel  in  Holland,  that  the  pri- 
mary interesting  remembrance  on  record  is,  the  detail 
of  their  persecutions.  From  Holland  they  fled  to 
England,  and  similar  tortures  were  their  allotment 
under  Henry  Vlll.  which  they  had  suliered  in  the 
Netherla!ids.  Even  under  the  Protestant  ascenden- 
cy while  Edward  was  King  ;  his  ministers  destroyed 
the  Anabaptists.  Mary,  with  equal  greediness  exter- 
minated all  parlies  who  did  not  dance  before  her 
idols;  and  Elizabeth  banished  and  burnt  part  of  a 
congregation  which  in  1575  had  been  discovered  in 
London.  Fro?Ti  Etigland,  they  all  subsequently  mi- 
grated to  Holland,  and  were  originally  all  in  commu- 
nion Avith  the  first  Independent  churches  established 
in  that  republic.  The  parties  at  length  began  to  dis- 
pute respecting  Baptism,  and  John  Smith,  their  lead- 
er, conceiving  that  tliere  was  no  person  at  that  time 
duly  qualified  to  administer,  the  ordinance,  to  pre- 
serve the  unbroken  succession  from  John  the  forerun- 
ner of  the  Lord,  baptized  himself,  and  afterwards  be- 
came the  father  of  the  general  Baptists. 

The  Baptists  are  first  noticed  as  a  distinct  sect  in 
England  about  1G08;  these  sent  one  of  their  church 
to  Hoi  1  anil  to  be  baptized  ;  after  his  return,  he 
bip'izf^d  the  minister  and  these  twothe  wholecliurch. 
consisting  of  nearly  fifty  members.  The  printed 
works  in  (his  controversy  commenced  in  1618,  and 
dui'i')^:  all  the  changes  to  which  the  Puritans  were 
subj^'cted,  they  experienced  their  full  share  of  the 
tyranny  and  agonies  exercised  over  them  by  the  va- 
rious despots  of  the  17th  century.  Three  facts  will 
forcibly  illustrate  the  nature  of  the  faithful  sufTerings 
for  God  to  which  all  the  Puritans  were  exposed  ;  and 
the  ahnost  miraculous  interposition  of  divine  provi- 
dence in  behalf  of  the  oppressed. 


1 


GJhLSTUIlIES    XVI. XVllI.  379 

A  congregation  of  seventh  day  Baptists  in  London 
nas  disturbed,  and  the  preaclier  John  James,  was  ac- 
cused by  a  despicable  wretch  of  uttering  treasonable 
words.  Though  it  was  solemnly  sworn  by  those  who 
were  present  that  the  words  were  never  uttered,  he 
was  condemned.  His  wife  presented  a  petition  to 
Charles,  who,  on  iiearing  the  name  of  the  petitioner, 
said,  "  O,  Mr.  James,  he  is  a  sweet  gentl.-^man."  But 
he  afterwards  so  completely  changed  his  tone,  as  to 
say,  "  the  rogue  shall  be  hanged."  For  once  thfe 
king  remembered  his  promise,  and  James  was  sent  to 
join  the  noble  army  of  martyrs. 

Ten  men  and  two  women,  taken  at  a  meeting  near 
Aylesbury,  xverc  required  to  coiitbrm  to  the  establish- 
ment, or  abjure  the  realm.  Declaring  that  they  could 
do  neither,  they  threvwtbemsclves  on  the  mercy  of 
the  court :  but  as  the  tender  mercies  of  the  wicked 
are  cruel,  they  were  condemned  to  die.  Aylesbury 
was  thrown  into  the  utmost  alarm  at  the  bloody  sen- 
tence ;  for  the  rest  of  the  Dissenters,  who  w  ere  the 
principal  part  of  the  inhabitants,  expecting  that  their 
turn  would  come  next,  shut  up  their  shops,  and  aban- 
doned all  attention  to  business.  The  son  of  one  of 
the  condemned  persons  rode  up  to  London,  where  he 
laid  the  case  before  William  Kiliin,  who,  though  a 
Baptist,  had  some  interest  at  court.  When  chancel- 
lor Hyde  laid  the  case  before  his  majesty,  Charles 
seemed  much  surprised,  and  promised  his  royal  par- 
don. But  as  the  son  was  afraid  his  father  would  be 
pardoned  after  he  was  hanged,  he  begged  for  an  im- 
mediate reprieve  ;  which  having  obtained,  he  return* 
ed  with  sufficient  speed  to  save  their  devoted  lives. 

Andrew  Gilford  was  a  Baptist  minister  of  high  re- 
pute in  the  west  of  England.  At  Bristol,  the  princi- 
pal field  of  his  labours,  he  w\as  three  times  confined  in 
1  Newgate,  and  once  was  hurried  away  to  Gloucester, 
lie  had  been  preaching  among  the  colliers  in  the  for- 
est of  Kingswood,  where  his  son,  who  was  the  sentinel, 
was  prevented  from  giving  notice  of  the  approach  of 
the  informers,  by  being  frozen  ii>the  ground.     An  in- 


380  t.CGLCbiASUCAL      HISTORY.  LECTURE  XV III. 

dependent  minisler,  who,  pursued  by  the  sr'.me  har- 
pies, had  been  preaching  in  anotlier  p.irtoftlie  wood, 
lost  his  life  inaltenipting  to  escape  across  a  river. 
But  the  colliers  hearing  that  GiiTord  was  taken,  rose 
in  arms  for  his  deliverance.  This,  however,  lie  de- 
clined, saying,  that  he  would  ralher  leave  his  cause 
with  God,  who,  he  doubted  not,  would  order  all  ior 
the  best.  1  he  justices  gave  him  permissioi;  to  visit 
his  wife,  and  to  settle  his  alFairs.  But  tiie  inloi'mers, 
as  soon  as  he  readied  home,  seized  hini  and  hu.  ried 
hi;))  away  to  Gloucester,  a  distance  of  tiiirty  'iiil<"^s- 
Thus  it  was  ordered,  that  he  entered  the  casile,  just 
as  the  public  ch  mes  announced  tv.elve  o'*clock  at 
night.  When  tlie  six  months,  for  which  his  mittimus 
had  condeniiU'd  him,  was  expired,  he  desired  to  be 
dismissed.  The  keeper  objected  tiiatit  was  unusud 
to  open  the  gates  at  midnight,  to  which  GilTi^rd  re- 
plied, that  they  were  opened  at  that  hour  to  let  lii'n 
in,  and  therefore  why  should  they  not  to  let  him  oul  } 
He  was  discharged,  and  the  next  morning  about  six 
o'clock,  arrived  an  express  from  London,  with  a;:  or- 
der to  contine  him  duritiglife.  from  which  hard  ftte 
he  escaped  by  the  relentless  fury  of  his  enemies,  who 
hurried  him  away  to  prison  at  midnight. 

In  the  Britisli  domi^^.ions,  th  •  Particular  Baptists, 
at  present  number  nearly  TTiO  churches,  and  the  Gen- 
eral Baptists  120  congregations,  but  svhile  the  latter 
rather  diminish,  the  increase  of  the  former  is  rapid 
and  contiruial.  On  the  continent  of  Europe,  it  is  im- 
practicable to  form  any  accurate  opinion  of  them, 
though  it  is  believed  their  number  is  small. 
The  Moravians. 

"The  unity  of  the  evangehc  brethren,"  the  gener- 
al name  of  all  the  churches  and  missions  usually  call- 
ed Moravians,  comprises  three  distinct  classes  of 
members.  Tlie  hrst  consists  of  those  who  belong  to 
the  ancient  church  of  the  brethren,  which  conceives 
itself  to  be  superior  in  antiquity  to  all  rther  protes- 
tants.  Jn  this  class  also  are  arranged  all  those,  whoi 
before  they  joined  the  unity,  were  of  a  communion 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVllI.  381 

different  from  the  two  principal  protestant  churches, 
tiie  l.iuheran  and  the  Reformed.  The  second  class 
of  peri^ohs  Uiio  compose  the  grand  body  of  the  uni- 
ted biothren,  consists  of  those  who  were  cducctud  in 
the  Lulheran  profession.  The  third  is  formed  of  such 
as  have-  b«'[oi;g<  d  to  flie  reformed,  or  calvinistic  pro- 
teslaiii  coiiiSiiunion ;  who.  as  well  as  the  Lutherans, 
are  ilh^sved  to  retain  their  former  connexion.  Hence, 
tlie  tilie  of  united  brethren  designates  a  body  compo- 
sed of  vaiious  materials  ;  not  amalgamated  by  a  sac- 
rihc'r  of  all  distinctions  in  order  to  conform  to  any 
exclusive  creeds,  but  compacted  by  the  adhesive  in- 
due ce  of  a  certain  spirit  diffused  through  the  whole 
iinss.  "  Living  faith,  vital  religion,  love  for  the  mu- 
tual communion  of  christian  brethren,  zeal  which 
a-i-'i^  by  united  efforts  to  propagate  the  religion  of 
Jesfi.T,  bind  together,"  say  they,  "  these  diifereiit 
classes  of  Christians."  This  communion  must  not, 
therefore,  be  supposed  to  resemble  an  individual, 
composed  only  of  subordinate  members,  which  have 
no  separate  existence  ;  but  should  be  compared  to 
a  church,  formed  of  members  who  all  retain  their  own 
perfect  individuality,  though  associated  by  attach- 
ment to  attain  a  common  object. 

The  ministers  of  the  unity  receive  ordination  of  dif- 
ferent kinds,  according  to  the  countries  in  which  they 
labour.  They  have,  indeed,  discovered  the  rare  and 
arduous  way  of  combining  episcopacy  with  liberality, 
so  thcit  if  a  brother  of  the  ancient  episcopal  church 
should  be  placed  in  a  congregation  where  the  minis- 
ter has  been  ordained  by  presbyters,  he  will  not  hes- 
itate to  receive  h'om  him  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  bap- 
tism for  his  children.  Abhorrence  of  controversy  is 
trharacteristic  ofthe  united  brethren. 

To  cement  the  union  of  the  brethren  they  convoke, 
at  certain  periods,  synods,  which  are  composed  of  the 
brethren  who  were  entrusted,  for  a  time,  with  the 
general  direction  ;  of  those  persons  who  are  at  pres- 
ent employed  in  the  public  service  of  the  community ; 
„  and  ofdeputiessentby  the  different  congregations.  This 


382  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTUPE  XVIH- 

council  watches  over  the  state  of  religion,  the  con- 
duct, education,  doctrine,  preaching,  printing,  and  ap- 
pointment to  charges  in  the  chnrch. 

The  members  oTthe  church  are  divided,  according 
to  their  sex  and  state  of  life,  into  different  classoe, 
called  church  bodies.  Unmarried  men,  nnd  those 
who  are  termed  lads  adolescent,  remain  in  the  liousc 
of  the  single  brethren.  Unmarried  women,  whether 
elder  or  younger,  live  apart  in  the  single  sisters' 
house.  In  the  more  numerous  churches  there  are 
similar  abodes  for  the  widows  and  widowers.  They 
are  under  the  inspection  of  an  elder  of  their  o^vn 
sex,  and  work  for  their  support. 

The  marriage  of  the  Moravians  is  always  under 
the  direction  of  the  church.  If  the  parties  have  pre- 
viously made  no  ct'.oice  the  elders  point  out  whom 
they  judge  suitable  :  but  where  an  attachment  has 
been  formed,  it  is  submitted  to  their  final  decision. 
When  unable  to  determine  in  any  other  way,  they 
seek  to  know  the  divine  will  by  casting  lots,  which, 
however,  are  considered  as  deciding  only  what  shall 
not  be  done. 

This  community  adopts  the  practice  of  washing 
each  other's  feet  once  a  year,  previously  to  (he  cele- 
bration of  the  Lord's  Supper,  The  women  wash 
those  of  their  own  sex  in  a  place  apart ;  and  the  men 
thefeetof  their  brethren.  The  dying  receive  a  ben- 
ediction, and  the  imposition  of  the  hands  of  the  elders. 
In  some  of  their  meetings  they  give  the  kiss  of  peace, 
men  to  men,  women  to  women. 

"  The  crown  of  glory  and  diadem  of  beauty," 
which  adorns  the  united  brethren,  is  their  zeal  for  the 
propagation  of  the  Gospel  amo  ig  the  heathen.  In 
this  noble  career  they  hnve  outstripped  almost  every 
other  communion ;  and  though  thfv  are  neither  nu- 
merous, nor  wealthy,  nor  powerful,  th^y  have  ac- 
complished what  would  have  seemed  to  >f^quire  the 
treasures  of  princes,  or  the  power  oi  s-  »verrign  stntes. 

Th'^  united  brethren  are  uiidou!>t''d!y  a  p;irf  oi'  ihe 
surviving  chain  of  the  two  witnesses  who  have  pro- 


I 


CENTURIES  XVI. XVIU.  3S3 

phesied  in  sackcloth  from  great  antiquity.  In  the 
year  890  Bohemia  and  Moravia  received  the  Gospel 
from  two  Greek  monks,  who  are  thought  to  have  diffu- 
sed pure  principles,  because,  ^vhen  the  emperor  O- 
tho  united  Bohemia  to  his  empire,  and  brought  the 
Greek  Christians  under  the  see  of  Rome,  they  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  for  themselves  a  liturgy  in  their 
own  tongue,  and  freedom  from  several  popish  corrup- 
tions, in  the  year  1176  the  Waldenses  arrived  in 
Bohemia,  and  contributed  to  the  preservation  of  pure 
religion.  After  having  combined  purity  and  zeal, 
with  concealment  from  the  rulers  of  the  apostate 
church,  for  more  than  two  hundred  years,  they  were 
discovered,  in  the  year  1391,  by  the  imprudence  of 
two  of  their  preachers,  and  dispersed  by  the  blast  of 
persecution.  Re-animated  by  the  exhortations  of  one 
Gregory,  in  the  fifteenth  century,  they  attempted  to 
combine  in  closer  union,  and  took  the  name  of  breth- 
ren of  the  law  of  Christ.  But.  perceiving  that  they 
were  thought  to  be  one  of  the  new  orders  of  monks, 
they  assumed  their  present  title  oi  unitas  fratrum^  the 
unity  of  the  brethren. 

While  they  were  studying  truth  and  purity  in  the 
very  bosom  of  ignorance,  corruption,  and  bigotry,  the 
persecuiioii  which  they  endured,  induced  them  to 
cast  their  eyes  around  for  an  assylum  from  the  drag- 
on's rage.  Seeing  no  retreat  within  the  sphere  of 
their  own  knowledge,  they  sent  four  deputies  to  trav- 
el, and  inquire,  '••  if  there  were  any  where  a  living 
church  free  from  errors  and  superstition,  and  regula- 
ted according  to  Christ's  laws,  with  which  they 
might  unite."  Failing  in  this  research,  they  resolved 
that  if  God  should  in  future  raise  up  reformers  of  the 
church,  they  would  make  a  common  cause  with  them. 
Wiien  Erasmus  began  to  attract  the  attention  of 
the  Christian  woild,  the  united  brethren  sent  their 
confession  of  :.:i'.h  to  this  distinguished  scholar,  who, 
with  'lis  chTrncterlsiic  indecision,  professed  to  ap- 
prove, but  refused  to  espouse  their  cause. 


38-1  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURK    XVIJI. 

The  fame  which  Luther  acquired  as  a  reformer, 
induced  the  bretliren  to  send  to  him  John  Horn  and 
Michael  Weiss,  Luther,  dehghted  to  find  that  a  peo- 
ple yet  remained  to  co-operate  with  him.  hailed  them 
as  brethren,  and  said,  ''  be  ye  apostles  of  the  Doiie- 
mians.  an<l  land  mine  will  he  a{)Ostles  of  the  Ger- 
mans." When  Calvin  became  acquainted  with  them, 
he  also  assured  them  of  his  frateinal  affection.  John 
Alasco  is  claimed  by  the  united  brethren  as  the  tirst 
person  who  carried  their  principles  and  worship  into 
England. 

At  Fulneck,  in  Moravia,  a  company  of  the  breth- 
ren remained,  among  whom  a  considerable  revival 
took  place,  in  the  year  1720,  by  means  of  Christian 
David.  Availing  himself  of  their  new  ardor  and  de- 
tachment from  the  world,  and  rellecting  on  the  evils 
which  they  had  suffered  from  the  want  of  toleration, 
he  applied  to  Nicholas  Lewis  count  of  ZinzendorfT 
who  allowed  them  to  settle  in  his  estates  in  Uppc'-  Lu- 
satia.  A  number  of  families  were  conducted  thither 
by  Christian  David,  who  formed  their  new  '  ettle- 
ment,  which  they  called  Hernhutt,  or  the  Lord's 
Watch. 

Count  Zinzendorff,  after  a  time,  joined  their  com- 
munion, which,  when  other  protestants  were  content- 
ing themselves  with  their  own  privileges,  employed 
its  force  for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen. 

Since  the  death  of  Zinzendorff,  in  1 7<30,  the  Mora- 
vians, with  regard  to  numbers,  in  Europe,  have  been 
neaily  stationary — their  increase,  if  any,  has  been 
imperceptible;  but  they  have  been  crowned  with 
great  success  in  their  efforts  to  disseminate  the  Gos- 
pel among  the  aboriginal  Greenlanders,  the  West  In- 
dia slaves,  and  the  tribes  of  Caffraria.  Their  theolo- 
gical system  is  not  very  luminous  or  definite;  as  they 
avoid  all  reference  to  the  graiid  controverted  points 
in  theology.  Of  their  numbers,  it  is  not  easy  to  make 
any  calculation  ;  in  England,  they  have  only  sixteen 
congregations. 


CKATL'RIliS   XV J. XVlll.  385 

The  Quakers. 
The  society  of  Friends,  as  they  designate  them- 
selves, originated  during  the  period  of  the  civil  conm- 
motions  in  England,  excited  by  the  despotic  acts  of. 
Chfirles  f.  To  counteract  the  effects  of  the  number- 
less misrepresentations  in  various  authors  concerning 
their  body,  they  issued  in  1800,  a  summary  of  their 
history,  doctrine,  and  discipline,  from  uhicli,  the  fol- 
lowing narrative  has  chiefly  been  compiled.  During 
the  period  referred  to,  in  I  649  and  1650,  the  unsettled 
state  of  affairs  admitted  irregularities  even  in  the 
forms  of  law,  and  the  administration  of  justice,  which 
in  a  composed  state  of  society  would  not  have  been 
tolerated.  Persecution  indubitably  was  armed  to  ar- 
rest the  progress  of  the  primitive  Quakers;  but  the 
parties  framed  a  plausible  excuse  for  their  conduct, 
from  the  gross  imprudencies  of  Fox  and  his  disciples. 
It  is  certain,  that  under  the  pretext,  however  sincere 
may  have  been  the  delusion,  of  declaring  the  truth 
according  to  the  light  given  to  them,  they  entered  the 
places  of  worship  of  the  other  denominations,  and 
occasioned  great  confusion.  This  exposed  them  to 
the  operation  of  the  civil  law  for  the  protection  and 
peace  of  public  worship;  and  had  the  magistrates 
merely  enforced  the  prservation  of  order,  no  censure 
could  have  attached  to  them  ;  but  the  doctrine  of  reli- 
gious toleration,  w^as  at  that  period,  a  speculative  no- 
tion, held  by  the  enlightened  Puritans  only,  which 
had  not  attained  its  controul  and  influence  over  the 
whole  community ;  and  consequently  the  Quakers 
experienced  sufferings  by  fines,  scourging,  and  im- 
prisonment. 

"•George  Fox,  was  one  of  the  fust  of  our  friends 
who  was  imprisoned.  He  was  confined  at  Notting- 
ham in  the  year  1649,  for  having  publicly  opposed  a 
preacher,  who  had  asserted  that  the  more  sure  word 
of  prophecy,  mentioned  2  Pet.  i.  19,  was  the  Scrip- 
ture; George  Fox  declaring  that  it  was  the  Holy 
Spirit  ;  and  in  the  following  year,  being  brought  be- 
fore two  justices  in  Derbyshire,  one  of  them  scoffing 
3  A 


386  ECCLESIASTICAL  IIlSTOliV.  LECTURE    XVlll. 

atGcoroje  Fox,  for  having  bidden  him  and  ihosc  a- 
bout  hiiii  to  tremble  at  tlie  uord  of  the  Lord,  «j;ave  to 
our  predecessor  tlie  name  oi'Quaters;  an  appellation 
which  sooii  became,  and  hath  remained  our  most  u- 
sual  deiiominatio!) ;  but  the}'  themseh  es  adopted,  and 
have  transmitted  to  us,  the  endearing  appellation  of 
Friencis. 

Persecution,  however,  continued  ;  but,  Avhen 
Charles  11.  on  the  prospect  of  his  restoration,  issued 
from  Breda,  amongst  other  things,  his  declaration  lor 
liberty  of  conscience,  it  might  well  have  been  cxpv^ct- 
ed  that  Friends  would  be  permitted  to  exercise  their 
religion  without  molestation.  Yet  during  this  reign 
they  not  only  vveie  harrassed  with  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance, which  in  common  with  all  oath^,  they  scru- 
pled to  take,  and  by  v, hichthey  oi":en  incurred  tedious 
imprisonment,  and  not  unfrequently  premunire  ;  but 
new  laws  were  mnde,  by  which  even  their  meetings 
for  worsliip  subjected  them  to  punishment." 

Their  meetiig-house,  at  Horsely  down,  near  Lon- 
don, was  by  an  order  of  council,  in  the  year  IG70, 
j)u!led  down  ;  but  they  assembled  on  the  ruins.  They 
were  iiisulted  and  knocked  down.  One  of  them,  as 
he  L'lv  bleeding  on  tlie  ground,  was  so  wounded  in  tiie 
head,  liiatthe  brain  was  visible.  When  the  soldiers 
were  asked  how  ih.'y  cpuld  behave  so  cruelly,  they 
replied,  "  if  you  knew  our  orders,  you  would  say  we 
were  mercitul." 

When  the  conventicle  act  was  in  lorce,  ''the  be- 
haviour of  the  (^^uakers,  says  J3urnet,  had  somethliig 
in  it  fliwt  looked  bold.  They  met  at  the  same  place 
and  hour,  as  before.  None  of  them  would  go  out  of 
the  vvay.  but  when  they  were  seized  they  went  all  to 
])rison  together,  where  they  stayed  without  petition- 
ing for  release,  and  when  discharged  they  rei'used  to 
pay  any  fees.  As  soon  as  liberated,  they  returned  to 
their  meetings  again,  and  when  they  found  the  place 
shul  up  by  the  magistrates,  they  assembled  before 
the  <b»  ^'-s.  Thus  they  carried  their  point,  for  the 
govern.ment  grew  weary  of  them,  and  were  glad  to  let 
them  alone," 


CENTURIES     XVI. XVIH.  3i>7 

The  imprisonments  were  long,  often  terminating 
on!^  with  tiie  lite  of  the  prisoner.  In  this  reign  also, 
the  crowds  sliut  up  together,  increased  in  many  pla- 
ces the  common  sufferings  of  conlinement ;  which  in 
some  were  also  augmented  bv  the  violent  tempers  of 
magistrates,  or  by  the  barbarity  of  jadors.  The  fines 
imposed  by  the  new  laws  were  exacted  with  a  rigour 
that  generally  oppressed  the  sufferer,  and  soraetimes 
left  him -iiearly  destitute  of  household  goods;  and 
several  families  experienced  a  separation  of  the  near 
connections  of  lite,  by  the  execution  of  that  law  which 
subjectevl  our  friends  to  banishment. 

James  II.  to  fovour  the  religion  to  which  he  was  at- 
tached, suspended  the  operation  of  tiie  penal  luvs  a- 
gainst  disse  iters.  Our  Friends  had  their  share  in  the 
benefit  arisi;;g  from  tiiis  measure  ;  but  it  was  not  un- 
til the  reigii  of  king  William,  that  they  obtained  som!^ 
degree  of  legal  protection. 

fhe  doctrines  of  the  Quakers  are  tluis  geiierally 
stated  :  "  We  agree  with  other  prot'essors  of  the  chris- 
tian name,  in  the  belief  of  one  eternal  God,  'he  Cre- 
ator and  preserver  of  the  universe;  and  in  Jesus 
Christ  his  son,  the  Messiah,  and  Mediator  of  the  new 
covenant. 

When  vve  speak  of  the  gracious  display  of  the  love 
of  God  to  mankind  in  the  miraculous  conception, 
birth,  life,  miracles,  death,  resurrection,  and  ascen- 
sion of  our  Saviour,  we  prefer  the  use  ot  such  terms 
as  we  find  in  scripture  ;  and  contented  with  that 
knowledge  which  divine  wisdom  hath  seen  meet  to 
reveal,  we  attempt  not  to  explain  those  n^ysteries 
which  remain  under  the  veil:  nevertheless,  we  ac- 
knowledge and  assert  the  divinity  of  Clwist,  who  is 
the  wisdom  and  power  of  God  unto  spJvation. 

To  Christ  alone  we  give  tlie  title  of  the  Word  of 
God, and  not  to  the  scriptures;  althou^zh  we  highly 
esteem  these  sacred  writings,  in  subordinaiio:)  to  the 
spirit,  from  vvh'ch  they  were  given  forfh;  and  we 
hold,  with  the  Apostle  Paul,  that  they  are  able  to 
make  wise  unto  saJ  ation,  through  faith  which  is  in 
Jesus  Christ. 


388  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOKV.  LECTURE  XVIl;. 

We  reverence  those  most  excellent  precepts  whicli 
are  recorded  in  scripture  to  litive  been  delivered  by 
our  great  Lord,  and  \vc  tiridy  believe  that  they  are 
practicable,  and  binding  on  every  christian  ;  and  that 
i[i  tlie  lite  to  come,  every  man  will  be  rewarded  ac- 
cording to  his  works.  And  lurther  it  is  our  belief, 
that,  in  order  to  enable  mankind  to  put  in  practice 
liiese  sacred  precepts,  many  of  which  are  contradic- 
tory to  the  uaregenerate  will  of  man,  every  nmn  com- 
ing into  the  world,  is  endued  with  a  measure  of  the 
light,  grace,  or  good  spirit  of  Christ ;  by  wliich,  as  it 
is  attended  to,  he  is  ejiabled  to  distinguish  good  from 
evil,  and  to  conect  the  disorderly  passions  and  cor- 
rupt propensities  of  his  nature  which  mere  reason  is 
altogether  insufficient  to  ov(M-conie.  For  all  that  be- 
longs to  man  is  fallible,  and  within  the  reach  of  temp- 
tation ;  but  .this  divine  grace,  which  comes  by  him 
Avlio  hath  overcome  the  world,  is  to  those  who  hum- 
bly and  sincerely  seek  it,  an  all-suthcientand  present 
help  in  time  ol"  need.  By  this,  the  snares  of  the  ene- 
my are  detected,  his  allurements  avoided,  and  deliv- 
erance is  experienced  through  faith  in  its  etfectual 
operation  ;  whereby  the  soul  is  translated  out  of  the 
kingdom  of  darkness,  and  from  under  the  power  of 
Satan,  into  the  marvellous  light  and  kingdom  of  the 
Son  of  God.'' 

The  Friends  by  their  inflexible  adhesion  to  their 
principles,  obtained  from  the  British  government,  an 
exemption  which  no  otiier  denomination  in  England 
enjoys,  the  celebration  oi  their  marriages  without  the 
Episcopalian  ceremonial.  To  them  belong  the  un- 
divided praise,  of  being  the  only  community,  who  in 
their  associated  capacity  have  practically  exempli- 
fied the  peculiar  philanthropy  of  the  Gospel  ofChrist, 
upon  all  the  questions  originating  in  the  three  grand 
pestilences  of  the  human  family;  national  wars;  fo- 
rensic litigation;  and  involuiitary  perpetual  servitude. 
Many  individuals  have  successively  appeared  who  u- 
uited  in  all  their  theories  ;  but  with  the  exception  of 
a  smxll  modern  division  of  the  German  Baptists  and 


CENTURIES    XVI. XV'IH.  389 

Moravians  ;  it  is  believed  that  the  Quakers  alone, 
as  a  sociely,  merit  the  imperishable  eulogy,  wliich 
belongs  to  an  unceasiug  combination  oi"  eflort  to  im- 
pede the  ravages  of  general  war,  to  extirpate  the 
cbuiiiiions  of  private  discord,  and  to  destroy  the 
miseries  engendered  by  kidnapping  and  slavery.  In 
tiicse  points  of  view,  the  Friends  are  the  only  living 
professors  of  Christianity  who  bear  a  striking  simih- 
tudo  to  the  millenial  philanthropists.  How  kuig 
shaii  it  be,  er^a  continuaj  display  of  the  most  abhor- 
rent spirit  of  cruelty,  revenge  and  injustice,  shall  be 
proscribed  and  condemned  as  totally    antichristian  f 

Upon  this  topic,  the  address  may  be  made  to  al- 
most all  other  Christians,  '•  Dost  thou  approve  the 
Friends'  opinions  of  the  iiicurable  iniquity  of  Negro 
bondage,  the  anti-evangelical  nature  of  legal  dispu- 
tations, and  the  unmeasurable  guilt  of  wiiolesalo 
murder  by  the  armed  myrmidons  of  tyrants  in  the 
field  of  battle  .^  ihen — "Go  thou  and  do  likewise." 
The  Methodists. 

This  Society  which  ranks  the  third  in  number  of 
all  the  larger  denominations  of  Christians  who  dis- 
sent from  the  Episcopalian  hierarchy,  appeared  in 
1729,  having  originated  in  a  meeting  held  by  the 
Wesleys,  Whitfield,  Morgan,  Ingham,  Hervey,  and 
others,  in  the  first  place  to  enlarge  their  knowledge 
of  the  scriptures,  and  subsequently  to  improve  their 
own  characters  by  religious  conversation  and  other 
devotional  exercises.  The  commencement  of  the 
Methodists  as  a  distinct  body  may  be  properly  im- 
puted to  the  results  ofGeorge  Whitfield's  preaching 
in  the  open  air:  excluded  from  all  access  to  the 
episcopal  churches,  he  determined  "•  to  do  the  ser- 
vice of  his  Creator,  who  had  a  mountain  for  his 
pulpit,  and  the  heavens  for  his  sounding  board,  and 
who  sent  his  servants  into  the  highways  and  hedges." 

The  society  primarily  assembled  in  Fetter  lane, 
but  several  years  elapsed  before  the  increase  of  their 
numbers  induced  John  Wesley  to  summon  the  first 
Conference.     In  the  British  dominions  are  two  clas- 


390 


EfCLESlASTICAL      TTISTORV. 


LECTURE  XV  m. 


ses  of  Methodists  ;  those  who  wore  disciples*  of 
George  Whitfield,  denomiimtcd  C'llviiiistie,  but 
these  are  2;rada;allj  declining  as  a  distinct  body,  and 
are  now  amalgamating  with  the  indepcndcnls ;  the 
others,  and  those  to  whom  the  apellation  is  generally 
given,  are  the  followers  of  John  Wesley.  During 
sevei  al  years  the  early  Methodists  were  all  united  in 
one  body ;  they  finally  separated,  in  conseo,nence 
of  doctrinal  disputations  respecung  the  five  points 
already  stated — Whitfield  adhering  to  the  Calvinis- 
tic,  and  Wesley  to  the  Arminian  intei^retation. 

The  grand  points  of  distinction  between  the  Me- 
thodists and  the  oth«  r  denominations  are  their  theo- 
logical tenets;  their  government  nnd  dicipline.  On 
the  Ibrmer  topics,  in  all  tiiat  is  essential  they  coincide 
with  all  the  other  bodies  of  Christians :  resperfiiig 
the  latter,  during  the  life  of  John  Wesley,  the  Me- 
thodist societies  were  the  popery  of  Protestantism. 
The  extinction  of  nearly  all  the  rights  of  the  mem- 
bers, and  the  unlimited  sway  of  the  preachers  have 
already  produced  a  division  both  in  England  and  the 
United  States;  which  must  unavoidably  extend,  un- 
less the  irresponsible  aristocracy  of  the  Conferen- 
ces be  removed.  But  notwithstandiiig  this  del^^ct;' 
to  the  Methodists  is  the  world  indebted  for  the 
grand  impetus  impressed  upon  the  means  adopted  by 
the  church  of  Cod  to  evangelize  ma -.kind.  They, 
have  also  used  the  typographic  art  with  great 
sectarian  eifect ;  and  it  must  be  regretted,  that  their 
measures  tend,  even  in  diffusing  intelligence,  to  cir- 
cumscribe the  boundaries  of  its  extent.  More  pecu- 
liarly than  any  other  society,  the  Friends  alone  ex- 
cepted, have  they  long  fostered  a  bigoted  spirit, 
which  is  at  length  beginning  to  disappear;  but 
the  most  curious  facts  in  the  history  of  the  foundera 
ofthe  Methodist  Societies  are,  that  while  tliey  pro- 
fessed to  subscribe  to  the  truth  of  the  thirty  nine 
Articles  of  the  English  establishment,  they  were' 
always  opposing  them  in  the  pulpit  and  by  the  press  ;i 
while  they  professed  to  believe  in  the  divine  right 


i  CENTURIES    iVI. XVllI.  391 

I  of  epiacopacy,  they  became  the  most  alienated  Dis- 
isetiters;    aad    while  they    proclaimed  their  fellow- 
I  ship  lor  r..ll  '-who desire  to  flee  (Vom  the  wrath  to 
I  coiuC',"  they  have  organized  a  sect  emphatically  dis- 
;  linguished  lor  their  dominant  proselytism,  and  their 
!  indiscriminate  opposition  to  all   wlio  will  not  admit 
that  Wesley  and  Fletcher  were   infallible  oracles. 
This  temper  however,  is  gradually  meiiorating;  and 
j  in  proportion  as  their  ministers  oi"  the  sanctuary  be- 
come iliumirh-tL'd,  will  indubitably  be  banished  from 
among  them,     i'ijcy  continue  to  augment  in  numbers, 
learning  and  usefulness,  and  now   number   in  both 
hemispheres  upwards  of  more  than  half  a  million  of 
members  in  their  churches.  2 

Tlie  minor  denominalions  have  been  nearly  included 
in  this  review — they  are  either  Cahinists  or  Armi- 
iiians  ;  Trinitarians  or  Humanitarians  ;  Pedobaptists, 
or  Anlipedobaptists;  in  theology;  and  Episcopalians, 
Presbyleiiaas  or  Congregatioiialists  in  government 
and  discipline.  Oiie  bo  iy  might  havi^  been  noticed 
with  more  distinctness,  the  .  -iceder.borgians  ;  on  ac- 
coaiit  of  their  essential  diif'-rences,  but  as  the  reve- 
ries of  their  founder  are  rapidly  hastening  to  obliv 
ion;  it  ^vas  supertluous  to  revive  the  remembrance 
of  the  clFusioas  of  delirium,  either  in  the  delusions 
of  their  author,  or  the  unaccountable  corresponden- 
ces oi'his  whimsical  disciples. 

In  tlius  briefly  narrating  the  principal  associations 
of  existing  Christians  ;  we  are  induced  to  admire 
those  wondrous  dispensa'iions  of  divine  Providence 
wliich  has  even  made  the  strife  of  sectarians  conduce 
to  the  extension  of  his  Gospel,  and  through  the 
restraints  of  persecution,  excited  a  zeal  for  the  truth, 
with  an  amplitude  of  intelligence  and  sanctity,  which 
has  been  augmenting  with  accelerated  force  during 
the  last  century,  until  the  soberness  of  christian 
exertion,  has  assumed  all  the  noble  qualities  of  cru- 
sading enthusiasm,  without  tlie  smallest  admixture 
of  its  desolating  evils. 

2  .n^pendix  XXin. 


3ii2  ECCLESIASTICAL    HlSTeRY.  LECTURE  XMiI, 

Tlii^  review  of  llie  characteristics  of"  the  modern 
sects  should  impress  upon  us  one  important  truth  ; 
the  absohite  necessity  ofevangelical  charity.  Amoiiij 
t(,c  Christians,  who  have  attracted  our  regjartls.  of 
all  t!ie  principle  denominations,  which  belie\e  ilio 
'•  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus;"  we  discover  the  •'  lights  of 
the  world,  and  the  salt  of  the  earth."  F3igotry,  pre- 
judice and  error,  would  seize  the  hallowed  roll  in 
nhich  are  recorded  the  names  of  the  departed  dig- 
nitaries ;  and  erase  all  those  wlio  had  not  pronounc- 
ed their  party  Shibboleth  ;  and  of  course  under  their 
combined  and  amplified  operation  ;  scarcely  an 
individual,  according  to  human  estimate,  would 
escape  the  tremendous  blottings,  to  be  honoured  as 
a  resident  in  paradise.  The  present  general  co- 
operation to  reform  the  world,  has  demolished  the 
barriers  which  formerly  existed  to  the  harnioiiy  ot' 
Christians.  One  of  the  most  illustrious  triumphs  of 
gospel  philanthropy  was  lately  celebrated.  Jay,  an 
Independent,  preached  to  the  Baptist  Missionary 
Society,  in  a  Methodist  place  of  worship  in  London  ; 
thus  branding  with  utter  contempt,  and  dooming  to 
the  same  fire,  all  the  thorns  of  a  sectarian  proselyting 
spirit,  and  all  the  chafTof  bigoted  ignorance. 

But  when  we  consider  that  all  the  party  strife  of 
the  Missionaries  in  their  o'^vn  natal  soil,  is  absorbed 
inanoverllowingsolicitudetoen'ighten  the  minds  and 
nfTect  the  consciences  of  the  benighted  Heathen  pe- 
rishing in  gloom  before  their  eyes;  we  are  bound  to 
rejoice,  that  the  Episcopalian,  and  the  Congrega- 
tionalist,  and  the  Moravian,  and  the  Baptist  and  the 
Methodist  all  march  in  the  same  ranks,  fight  under 
the  same  baimers,  and  remembering  the  might  and 
the  number  of  their  idolatrous  enemies,  almost  for- 
get that  they  ever  admitted  a  sentiment  or  serisa- 
tion  ofdiscord  ;  only  anticipating  that  glorious  period 
when  every  minor  distinction  having  been  removed, 
nil  the  "  righteous  sliall  sliine  like  tlie  sun  in  the  king- 
dom of  our  Father."  May  we  cultivate  that  temper 
on  earth,  and  realize  this  enjoyment  in  heaven,  lor 
ever  and  ever  !     Amen. 


i;HKISTiANlTY   IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


The  landing  of  tlie  Puritans  at  Plymouth,  combines 
in  its  results,  the  most  important  and  eventful  occur- 
rence in  civil  or  ecclesiastical  history,  subsequent 
to  the  Reformation.  It  is  the  primary,  or  in  connec- 
tion with  the  other  republics  north  of  the  Potomac, 
the  only  existing  instance  of  a  nation  commencing 
theirsocial  compact  with  pure  and  undefiled  religion; 
and  animated  to  the  erection  of  a  political  edifice 
iVom  their  inextinguishable  attachment  to  religious 
treedom.  The  providence  of  God,  which  triumphed 
over  the  persecutors  of  his  servants,  by  rendering 
their  rage  the  means  of  establishing  the  oppressed 
Puritans  in  a  land  which  should  in  future  become  an 
asylum  for  the  persecuted,  demands  our  grateful  a- 
doration.  The  rapid  advancement  of  the  United 
Stales  in  the  comforts  of  civilized  life,  paid  the  ab- 
sence of  all  exclusive  establishments  of  religion,  with 
the  attendant  prosperity  of  different  communions, 
render  this  country  so  inviting  to  all  who  are  oppress- 
ed for  their  dissent  from  a  dominant  religion,  as  ei- 
ther to  preclude  the  attempt  to  re-kindle  the  flames 
of  persecution,  or  to  mock  their  fury,  by  snatching 
from  their  rage,  all  who  were  intended  to  feed  the 
lires. 

The  first  American  colonists  v/ere  members  of  a 
society  of  christians  in  the  north  of  England,  who,  in 
the  year  1602,  entered  into  a  covenant  with  each  o- 
ther  to  study  the  scriptures  as  the  only  rule  of  reli- 
gion, and  to  follow  this  sacred  light,  rejecting  ail  hu- 
man inventions,  and  adopting  every  institution  of  the 
divine  word.  But  finding  that  it  was  impossible  to 
pursue  witli  siic-vss  in  their  own  country,  a  design 
3  B 


30  t 


ICAI.    HISTORY. 


LECTURE  XIX. 


which  was  so  hatefiil  to  the  reigriing  powers,  they 
removed  to  Leyilon,  in  Hoiiand,  withiji  about  seven 
or  eight  years  after  the  first  ibrjiiatioti  of  their  church. 
In  this  place  of  vohiutary  o^ile  they  enjoyed  great 
privileges  and  were  hi.2;hly  respected  ;  lor  the  tua- 
gisl rales  once  said  to  the  Walloons,  who  appeared 
before  them  for  redress  against  their  brethren,  ••ihtse 
English  have  lived  now  ten  years  among  us,  ai'd  we 
have  never  had  ati  accusation  against  any  oiie  of 
them,  whereas  your  quarrels  arc  continual." 

j^nt  this  English  church  was  wounded  with  the 
manner  in  wh'ch  the  Sabbath  was  kept,  or  rather  was 
profaned  in  i^olland,  agaisist  which  they  found  all 
their  remonstrances  ineflectual.  They  perceived  also 
that  their  children  were  incorporating  with  the  Dutch 
families, or  else  were  drawn  away  by  the  evil  exam- 
ples of  the  country.  For  these  reasons  they  deter- 
mined to  pursue  their  origin:^.!  design  of  planting  a 
scriptural  church  in  the  world,  by  removing  to  Amer- 
ic*.  They  agreed  that  the  younger  pnrt  of  the  so- 
ciety should  go  first,  while  Mr.  John  Robinson,  the 
pastor,  remained  with  tb.e  elder  and  major  part  till 
it  was  judged  p.^'oper  for  them  to  follow.  On  a  day 
of  fasting  an.d  prayer,  to  implore  the  divine  blessing 
on  their  great  smdertaking,  Mr.  Robinson,  preached 
to  them  irom  Ezra  viii.  22  :  "  then  I  proclaimed  a  fast 
tliere,  thai  we  migiitatllict  ourselves  before  our  God, 
tG  seek  oi"  liim  a  rigfit  wr,y  for  us  and  for  our  little 
ones,  and  for  all  our  substaLiee."  The  voyagers  tlien 
look  leave  of  the  land  wliich  h.;id  kindly  receivr'd  them 
"  as  strangers  and  sojourners;"  and  on  July  2,  1620, 
parted  with  their  bretliren  at  Delft  haven.  Their 
beloved  pastor  having,  like  Paul,  knelt  down  on  the 
seashore,  and  poured  out  his  prayers  to  God  for  them, 
they  embraced,  and  wept  i:;  each  others  arms,  till  the 
wind  and  tide  compel'  vS  them  to  rend  themsebes 
asunder,  le  iving  the  Dutch,  who  were  spec';  fors  of 
tho  -^-cne,  drowned  in  tears  ol" sympathy,  'i;  he  vr«- 
srlr^  which  fliey  hiiod  fo;- the  voyage,  first  to  icfied  at 
Soutliair.pton,  to  joiii  those  who  were  coming  from 


CENTURIES    XVI.— XVUl.  395 

London  to  accompany  them  in  their  expedition. 
They  encouiitercd  various  hardships  and  dans^ers  on 
the  seas  ;  and  instead  of  arriving;  at  Hudsorrs  river, 
as  they  intended,  they  were,  by. the  treacheroihs 
compact  of  the  captain  AAith  some  Dutchmen,  who 
wished  to  reserve  that  spot  lor  themselves,  cosiduct- 
ed  to  cape  Cod,  which  however  the  kind  providence 
of  God  rendered  the  meaiis  of"  preserving  tliem  from 
the  Indians  by  whom  they  had  otherwise  been  mur- 
<^ered. 

i'rom  the  cultivated  fields  of  I'liropa  the  first  col- 
enyofa  huiKlred  persons  arrived  tiie  ninth  of  No- 
vember, in  tlie  year  J620,  O!)  tile  shores  of  th"  vast 
desarts  of  Ameiica,  where  they  behehi  a  most  alarm- 
ing contrast  of  every  tiling  wliich  had  been  familiar 
and  dear  to  them  in  theii-  native  country.  But  they 
had  learned,  from  liieir  pious  education,  to  value  the 
pure  ordinances  of  (he  Gospel  as  the  first  blessings  on 
earth,  and  to  abhor  a  false  and  superstitious  religion, 
with  impositions  on  conscience,  as  the  greatest  evil 
on  this  side  of  hell.  They,  therefore,  determined  to 
endure  the  miseries  of  a  desart  as  lighter  than  the 
moral  ills  of  a  depraved  society,  and  to  encour.ter 
the  naked  savages,  whom  tiiey  less  dreaded  tLan  the 
cultivated  heathens,  who,  ciotiied  with  the  robes  of 
oifice,  had  tor  years  abased  the  forms  of  law  to  deprive 
them  of  all  that  was  dearest  to  them  in  life.  The  In- 
dians also  had  been  much  diminished  by  sickness  be- 
fore the  arrival  of  the  colony,  so  that  those  who  were 
left  were  less  formidable  to  the  English,  who,  after 
examining  the  coast,  founded,  on  the  twenty-fifth  of 
December,  in  the  year  1620,  the  tovv.n  of  Plymouth, 
of  which  John  Carver  was  made  governor. 

The  first  settlers  endured  vast  suflerings  from  (lie 
climate,  famine,  disease,  and  the  hostile  neighbour- 
hood of  the  Indians.  But  the  accelecoted  course  of 
oppression  drove  across  the  Atlantic  frish  bajids  of 
emigrants,  who  sought  to  share  wilh  their  brethren 
the  quiet  enjoyment  of  civi]  riglits  and  religious  priv- 
ilejjes.      The  colonv    was    much  strenfrthened.     in 


3i!'t>  ECCI.ESIASIK  AL  HiSTOKi.  "LECJ  L  KE    Xi\. 

one  summer  fifteen  hundred  persons  landed  \n  the 
new  world,  many  of  whom  were  possessed  ol  biK  h 
properly  asenahied  them  to  add  greatly  to  the  coni- 
forts  of  the  new  Heltlement.  What  lano;ua<ro  can  (}■' 
justice  to  the  dclighlful  affections  with  which  these 
confessors  embraced  each  other  at  such  an  immen-." 
distance  from  their  common  country,  when  to  the  fie 
of  countrymen  was  added  the  attachment  of  fellow- 
christians  and  fello\v-sufferers  in  the  best  of  causes  ; 
^Yhile  the  one  party  hailed  the  arrival  of  brethren, 
and  the  ctlier  smiled  to  behold  Englishmen  and  chris- 
tian brethren  in  the  remote  desarts  which  were  the 
native  haunts  of  idolatrous  Indians  ?  As  religion 
was  the  grand  object  of  tlieir  emigration,  they  first  la- 
bouredtosetup  the  tabernacle  ofGod,  and  to  establish 
that  mode  of  worship  and  discipline  which  appeared 
to  them  exactly  conformed  to  the  divine  word,  and 
calculated  to  promote  the  interests  of  vital  religion. 
In  a  few  years  many  congregational  churches  were 
formed,  and  supplied  with  pastors.  For  during  ^ 
twelve  years  of  Laud's  administration  in  England, 
persons  of  all  ranks,  ministers  and  their  congrega- 
tions, "  kept  sometimes  dropping,  sometimes  flocking 
into  New  England." 

As  the  original  hives  Mere  overstocked,  fresh 
swarms  took  flight  for  other  spots,  where  they  built 
new  towns  and  formed  additional  churches.  When, 
however,  the  English  hierarchy  was  overthrown,  the 
causes  of  emigration  were  removed,  and  there  were 
not  only  few  accessions  to  tiie  colonies.,  but  several 
ministers  returned  to  labour  iii  England,  l^ut  to  such 
extent  had  the  spirit  of  emigration  lisen  among  the 
peisecuted  puritans,  that  seventy-seven  ministers  left 
Great  Britain  to  plant  churches  in  America.  In  twen- 
ty-seven years  from  the  first  plantation  of  the  colonies, 
forty  three  churches  were  formed,  and  in  an  equal 
number  of  succeeding  years,  eighty  <diurches  more 
rose  into  existence. 

But  nothing  is  so  permanently  pure,  in  this  state, 
that  it  cannot  be  deteriorated  :  and  e\  en  the  puritaiis 


CENTURIES    XVI. XV 111.  .397 

who  fled  from  persecution  in  Europe,  oonld  exhibit 
the  s;!;iie  spirit  in  New-England.  Whatever  may  be 
aliei:;.d  in  favour  of  some  instances  of  coercion  res- 
pec'iiiig  the  practice  of  a  few  of  the  early  Quakers; 
nothing  can  justify  their  persecution  of  the  Friends  for 
their  principles;  and  tlie  parties  are  more  censura- 
ble ibr  their  hardships  displayed  to  the  Baptists;  yet 
these  aberrations  from  the  Gospel  are  absorbed  in  the 
cruelties  exhibited  for  the  punishment  of  tiiat  suppo 
sitious  crime,  witchcraft.  It  is  but  due,  however,  to 
our  departed  ancestors,  to  record  liieir  humiliation,, 
penitence,  and  bitterness  which  they  subsequently 
avowed  lor  these  outrages. 

After  recapitulating  those  sorrowful  events,  they 
thus  acknowledge  their  errors  and  guilt:  "-We  do 
therefore  signify  our  deep  sense  of,  and  sorrow  for, 
our  errors  in  acting  on  such  evidence;  we  pray  that 
we  may  be  considered  candidly  and  aright,  by  the 
living  sufferers,  as  being  then  under  the  })ower  of  a 
strong  and  general  delusion.  They  asked  pardon 
for  having  brought  the  guilt  of  innocent  blood  on  the 
land." 

The  grand  controversy  which  agitated  the  church- 
es of  New- England  was  that  respecting  the  baptism 
of  the  children  of  parents  not  in  communion  with  the 
church ;  which  was  eventually  compromised  by  the 
"  half-way  covenant;"  and  to  which  may  probably 
be  imputed  the  alteration  of  the  Puritan  character 
from  that  period,  and  the  admixture  of  the  church 
and  the  world  in  all  subsequent  regulation  ofpurel^r 
ecclesiastical  concerns.  With  the  extension  of  their 
settlements,  an  equal  enlargement  of  their  churches 
has  been  realized,  so  that  the  Congregationalists  con- 
stitute a  very  large  majority  of  the  population  of  all 
the  eastern  states;  Rhode  Is'and  alone,  in  which  the 
Baptists  are  most  numerous,  forming  the  only  excep- 
tion. 

Maryland  was  also  peopled  from  religious  motives. 
The  Irish  Roman  Catholics  who  experienced  every 
possible  indignity,  fled  for  refujje  to  the  shores  of  the 


398  FrCLESIASJ  HAL      HISTORY.  LECTURE    X!X. 

Chesapeake  ;  and  tliere  developed  (he  as(onis!,ing 
contrast  to  nil  ihe  other  adherents  of"  the  popedom  ; 
an  aversion  from  persecution  for  imputed  '-  Iieretical 
pravily." 

■Penns^lvnnia  was  procured  from  t!ie  British  gov- 
ernment by  ^Vilham  Penn,  and  by  him  transformed 
into  an  asvlam  for  the  Quakers.  Civil  and  religious 
liberty  were  the  corner  stones  of  his  governmeijt; 
and  there  dl  classes  of  christians  speedily  found  a 
secure  retreat  l^om  molestation.  The  other  states 
having  been  origiiially  occu[)ied  by  cominereiil  ad- 
venturers, or  in  consequence  of  tlie  necessary  settle- 
ment of  additional  lands  by  the  augmenting  popula- 
tion, or  by  emigrants  from  Europe  are  not  inchided 
wilhin  this  review. 

The  following  summary  will  exhibit  the  prominent 
circumstances  connected  with  our  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory. 

Revivals  of  the  church. — The  religion  as  well  as  the 
soil  of  America,  has  frequently  displayed  an  almost 
miraculous  transition  from  the  barrenness  of  a  polar 
winter,  to  thcdelig!)ts  of  Paradise.  As  early  as  the 
year  17 1 8,  the  church  at  Nortliampto.n  efijoyed  a 
considerable  revival,  under,  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Stod- 
dard, who  laboured  in  the  Gospel  with  such  a  spirit  as 
the  Redeemer  loves  to  bless.  Three  years  aftcj*, 
such  effects  attended  the  pr^Mching  of  Mr.  Wiiiting, 
at  Windham,  in  Connecticut,  that  the  churcli  kept  a 
day  of  thanksgiving,  when  a  sermon  was  preached, 
from  which  it  appears,  that  in  six  montiis  upwards  of 
eighty  persons,  who  had  been  careh^ss  or  proi'ane, 
were  joined  to  the  church.  -'The  neighbourhood 
rings  of  it,"  says  the  preacher,  "  w!iile  th.'>  contiguous 
churches  exclaim,  what  hath  God  wrougiit.-'  tiat 
why  should  this  spot  only  be  wet  with  (he  dew  of 
heaven,  and  the  surrounding  country  remain  dry  aiid 
barren  .'^" 

Freehold,  in  New  Jersey,  was  the  scene  of  another 
remarkable  triumph  of  religioiL  The  gosj)<'!  had 
been  introduced  here  bv  Waller  Ker,  who  \va»  driven 


Ci:iNTURIES    XVI. XV  111.  399 

from  Scotland,  under  sentence  ofperpelual  banish- 
ment, by  the  iron  sceptre  of  James  tlie  Second.  Af- 
ter a  long-  life  of  more  successful  l.ibours,  than  it  is 
probable  he  \^ould  ever  have  enjoyed  in  his  native 
country,  he  entered  into  his  rest.  His  charge  be- 
came in  a  few  years  unhappily  notorious  for  an  in- 
decent contempt  of  religion  and  morals.  Mr.  John 
Tennanl,  a  pious  youth,  having  consented  to  preach 
to  them  lor  a  season,  was  so  shocked  with  their  im- 
piety, that  he  told  his  brother,  he  repented  of  having 
engaged  to  labour  among  a  people  whom  heaven 
seemed  to  liave  abandoned.  But  the  labours  of  a 
month,  produced  sucli  a  change,  that  he  then  said, 
'•  I  would  beg  my  bread  to  enable  me  to  realize  the 
hopes  I  have  ibrmed."  Multitudes  of  both  sexes 
confessed  with  tears  their  former  iniquities;  and 
those  who  remained  unchanged,  were  so  ashamed  of 
being  thrown  into  a  disgraceful  minority,  that  they 
gladly  retreated  from  notice. 

Two  years  after  his  death,  the  town  of  Northampton 
was  disiingdished  by  a  most  remarkable  blessing 
iVom  heaven.  The  American  custom  of  commen- 
■::ing  the  Sabbath  on  Saturday  evening,  and  ending 
it  at  six  o'clock  the  following  dny^  was  unhappily  a- 
bused  by  devoting  the  remaining  hours  to  parties  of 
pleasure,  wliich  completely  obliterated  the  <rood  ef- 
fects of  the  preceding  solemnities.  But  tovvB  ds  the 
end  of  the  year  1733,  the  profane,  hau;.hty,  obslirtate, 
spirit  oft'ie  young,  began  to  be  exchanged  for  a  so- 
ber, humble  tnind,  ilexible  to  the  voice  of  religious 
instruction  and  faithful  admonition.  They  complied 
with  the  lirst  recommeiidn;[io-i  of  Mr.  Edwards,  to 
^ruatch  their  Sabbath  eveniisg  from  worldly  pleasures, 
cuid  devote  them  to  private  or  social  religion. 

A  village,  about  three  miles  from  Northampton, 
first  displayed  the  symptoms  of  extraordinary  solici- 
tude for  eternity.  The  death  ola  young  man  and 
woman,  the  latter  of  whom  devoted  her  last  moments 
to  persuade  others  to  seek  the  same  felicity  vvhich 
she  enjoyed,  contributed,  together  with  the  funeral 


400  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOKV.  LECTUnE  XIX. 

sermons  preached  on  the  occasion,  to  diffuse  througli 
the  younger  part  of"  the  town  a  predominant  impres- 
sion ot"  religion.  The  peculiar  and  affecting  circum- 
stances which  attended  the  death  of  an  elderly  per- 
son, produced  siinihir  effects  on  the  aged. 

Several  remarkable  instances  of  conversion  now 
increased  and  extended  the  general  impression  ofreli- 
gio!i  on  the  inijabitanrs  of  the  town.  One  young  wo- 
man, who  had  been  the  principal  leader  in  those 
practices  which  had  before  injured  the  youth  and 
grieved  the  minister,  came  to  Mr.  Edwards  to  inform 
him  of  a  change,  which  he  was  at  first  averse  to  be- 
lieve, fearing  lest  it  should  serve  to  encourage  others 
in  her  former  sins.  His  incredulity  was,  however, 
vanquished  by  the  happy  evidences  which  she  gave 
ot  a  divine  inihience  on  her  heart,  and  his  fears  were 
put  to  shame  by  the  effects  produced  on  the  minds  of 
others,  who,  convinced  that  it  was  of  God.  tied  to 
seek  from  him  the  same  mercy.  From  this  time,  re- 
ligion, regarded  as  the  one  thing  needful,  became  the 
only  subject  of  conversation  through  the  whole  tov/n ; 
and  business  was  pursued  as  a  religious  duty,  though 
in  neighbouring  places  it  was  reported  that  the  peo- 
ple of  Northampton  neglected  every  thing  but  their 
souls.  Scarcely  a  person  was  to  be  found,  old  or 
young,  rich  or  poor,  who  was  not  deeply  conv:erned 
for  his  salvation,  while  the  greatest  opposers  became 
as  serious  as  those  whom  they  had  most  deri- 
ded. For  several  months,  each  day  added  to  the 
number  of  the  new  converts,  so  that  every  house  was 
filled  with  joy  over  a  child  or  a  parent,  such  as  that 
which  angels  teel  over  a  sinner  that  repentelh.  The 
face  of  the  whole  town  was  changed  ;  seriousness, 
or  l)enevolent  affection  and  sacred  joy,  sat  on  every 
countenance;  places  of  public  amusement  were  a- 
bandoned  for  the  minister's  house,  where  eager  in- 
♦]uiiics  were  made  concerning  the  true  sources  of 
consolation  and  the  discriminating  differences  of  gen- 
uine and  false  religion.  The  assemblies  of  the 
cliuich    were    crowded    with    worshippers,    whose 


CENTURIE3    XVI. XVIU.  401 

praises  are  said  to  have  been  so  much  like  those  of 
heaven  and  tlieir  attention  to  the  divine  word  so 
tremhlinglj  alive,  that  the  most  stupid  spectator 
would  have  been  compelled  to  exclaim  '•  how  dread- 
ful is  this  place,  for  God  is  here,  and  I  knew  it  not ; 
surely  this  is  no  other  than  the  house  of  God,  and  the 
gate  of  heaven." 

By  these  events,  the  way  was  prepnred  for  the  re- 
ception ot'Whitfield  in  America.  He  came  to  Boston 
in  September,  1740,  and  preached  his  first  sermon  to 
two  or  three  thousand  persons.  The  attraction  of 
his  manner  was  such,  that,  though  he  declared  the 
most  unwelcome  truths,  and  detected  every  artifice 
of  the  depraved  heart,  the  number  of  his  hearers 
obliged  him  to  preach  in  the  open  air.  The  good 
ministers  who  had  invited  him,  saw  their  most  san- 
guine hopes  exceeded  in  the  effects  of  his  ministry  on 
the  hearts  of  thousands. 

On  his  departure,  an  American  Whitfield  was  rai- 
sed up  to  succeed  him.  Gilbert  Tennant  came  to  Bos- 
ton and  produced  similar  effects  by  apparently  op- 
posite means.  With  no  charms  of  oratory  in  lan- 
guage, or  in  action,  but  grave  and  serious  as  death, 
he  thundered  and  lightened,  surrounding  the  con- 
sciences of  sinners  with  the  terrors  of  the  broken  law. 
During  the  winter  of  1740,  which  he  spent  in  Boston, 
Mr.  Cooper  said  upwards  of  six  hundred  persons 
came  to  him  under  concern  for  their  salvation,  and 
Mr.  Webb  declared  that  more  than  a  thousand  came 
to  him  in  the  same  space  of  time.  William  Tennant^ 
also,  and  other  ministers  itinerated  through  different 
parts  of  New  England  with  great  success. 

On  Whitfield's  second  visit  to  New  England,  he  ex- 
perienced much  opposition. ,  Harvard  and  Yale  col- 
leges denounced  him.  The  press  teemed  with  hos^ 
tile  pamphlets,  and  ministers  formed  associations  a- 
gainst  him.  A  contemporary  ecclesiastical  historian 
of  America  says,  however,  "  Whitefield  came  with 
an  extraordinary  spirit  of  meekness  and  benevolence, 
ingenuously  acknowledging  the  impropriety  of  some 
3  ^ 


402  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XIX 

of  his  expressions  and  censures,  but  defending  his 
conduct  bj  tho  highest  authority  and  examples.  As 
he  was  invited  to  preach  a  lecture  at  six  o'clock  in 
the  norning  he  was  constantly  attended  at  that  ear- 
ly hour  by  upwards  of  two  thousand  hearers." 

A  law  enacted  in  Connecticut  to  prohibit  itinerant 
preachers,  kindled  the  dames  of  persecution;  lor  se- 
veral were  imprisoned  for  this  new  crime,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  Finlay,  a  minister  of  the  first  respectability, 
and  afterwards  President  of  Nassau  Hall  College, 
was,  for  preaching  to  a  presbyterian  congregation 
at  New-Haven,  sent  out  of  the  colony  as  a  vagrant. 
This  infringement  on  their  liberties  increased  their  a- 
version  to  those  ministers  who  sanctioned  the  law, 
and  induced  their  hearers  to  form  many  separate  con- 
gregations. 

In  Virginia,  the  seat  of  episcopacy,  a  similar  revi- 
val was  afforded  to  the  cfaurch.  A  principal  instru- 
ment in  the  work  was  Davies,  afterwards  President 
of  the  same  college.  Towards  the  end  of  the  year  1740, 
a  few  persons  became,  by  reading  the  divines  of  the 
preceding  century,  exceedingly  solicitous  for  their  e- 
ternal  welfare.  Mr.  Samuel  Morris,  of  Hanover  co. 
laboured  to  excite  the  same  solicitude  in  others,  first 
by  private  conversation,  and  afterwards  by  reading 
to  the  more  seriously  disposed,  Luther  on  the  Gala- 
tians,  with  some  of  the  works  of  Bunyan.  A  young 
gentleman  of  Scotland,  having  a  volume  of  sermons 
taken  from  the  lips  of  Whitefield,  at  Glasgow,  read 
them  at  these  meetings  with  such  effect,  that  many 
perceived  their  guilt  and  danger,  and  wept  aloud. 
They  were  now  obliged  to  build  a  reading  house  to 
accommodate  the  crowds  which  attended,  and  w^ere 
soon  called  upon  by  the  government  to  declare  to 
what  denomination  of  dissenters  they  belonged. 
Th  y  knew  not  what  answer  to  give,  as  they  did  not 
agrr'-  with  quakers.  almost  the  only  sect  they  knew; 
till,  recollecting  that  Luther's  works  Iiad  first  im- 
pr  ssed  them,  they  called  themselves  Lutherans.  As 
soon  as  their  situation  was  known  in  the  Presbyterian 


CENTURIES  XVI. XVIll.  403 

states,  William  Robinson  was  sent  to  visit  the  south- 
ern colonies.  The  new  societies  were  inexpressibly 
astonished  to  hear  him  pour  forth  from  the  fulness  of 
his  heart,  the  exact  sentiments  which  they  had  deri- 
ved from  books,  while  they  were  delighted  to  find 
that  he  had  in  his  own  experience,  a  key  to  the  most 
secret  emotions  of  their  souls.  Mr.  Robinson  was  e- 
qually  surprised  at  the  effects  produced  on  the  ori- 
ginal societies,  as  well  as  on  the  increasing  numbers 
whose  curiosity  was  attracted  by  the  general  report ; 
but,  after  correcting  seme  things  in  their  worship,  and 
introducing  prayer  as  well  as  singing,  he  left  them 
to  a  succession  of  evangelical  labourers. 

Alarmed  at  the  indications  of  a  gathering  storm, 
and  apprehensive  of  being  sent  out  of  the  colony, 
they  applied,  in  1745,  to  the  synod  of  New  York  for 
advice  and  assistance.  The  assembly  sent  an  ad- 
dress to  the  governor,  by  Mr.  Tennant  and  Mr.  Fin- 
lay,  who  were  favourably  received,  and  contribaled 
not  onlytodispelthe  threatening  cloud,  but  by  preach- 
ing and  administering  the  Lord's  Supper  to  increase 
the  impressions  of  religion.  Virginia  was  at  last  vis- 
ited by  Whitefield,  who,  though  accused  of  seeking 
popularity  in  large  towns,  was  hunting  for  sinners,  as 
he  termed  it,  in  the  woods  of  the  southern  colonies. 
At  length  Mr.  Davies,  after  preaching  among  them 
for  some  weeks,  was,  in  1748,  ordained  their  pastor. 
He  encountered  much  opposition  and  ridicule,  as 
the  leader  of  the  new  lights  ;  but  saw  many  of  the 
I  opposers  first  drawn  by  curiosity,  then  fixed  by  at- 
:;  tachment,  till  fifty  new  families  were  added  to  their 
original  number.  In  seven  years  after  his  ordination 
he  had  three  hundred  communicants.  He  preached 
,  at  seven  diflferent  places,  was  successful  in  the  con- 
'  version  of  many  negroes,  and  saw  with  del'ght  the 
^  same  blessings  diffused  in  other  parts  oi'  Virginia, 
North  Carolina,  and  Maryland. 

So  repeated  and  powerful  were  the  displays  of  di- 
vine influence  accompanying  the  Gospel  in  America, 
during  this  period,  that  many  believed  they  saw   the. 


404  FrCLESIASTICAL     HISTORY.  LECTURE  XIX. 

dawn  of  the  day  of  final  glory  to  (he  church  on  earth. 
Tlie  ciiurcli  of  Christ  has  scarcely  ever  seen  in  any 
counti-y  a  period  of  greater  prosperity  than  America 
enjoyed  at  this  time,  whether  for  extraordinary  tri- 
umphs of  religion  among  thoughtless  muhitudes,  jor 
eminence  of  talerits  and  graces  in  the  hearts  of  chris- 
tians and  divines,  or  for  valuahle  publications  in  the 
first  departments  of  sacred  literature. 

In  latter  periods,  these  revivals  of  the  work  of 
grace,  have  been  still  more  extensive,  general,  and 
frequent,  in  various  districts  of  the  Unoin;  and  our 
modern  religious  publications,  through  redeeming 
mercy,  have  been  for  several  years  past  considerably 
occupied  with  the  remarkable  details  connected 
with  the  glorious  eflects  of  revealed  truth,  and  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  throughout  our 
land. 

Literature. — No  circumstance  involves  more  eulogy 
upon  the  primitive  refugees  from  European  despo- 
tism and  persecution,  than  their  early  attempts  to  es- 
tablish a  collegiate  course  of  education.  Within  ten 
years  from  their  first  debarkation  at  Cape  Cod  ;  the 
general  court,  granted  a  donation  from  the  public  re- 
venue, of  4Q0  pounds,  for  the  erection  of  a  college  ; 
which,  ifall  the  circumstances  connected  with  it  be 
revievved,  was  a  prodigious  sura.  Some  time  after, 
John  Harvard,  one  of  the  ministers,  died,  and  be- 
queathed his  estate  and  library  for  the  same  object. 
Other  public  and  private  benefactions  augmented  the 
funds,  and  Theopliilus  Gale,  author  of  the  famous 
work,  entitled  the  court  of  the  Gentiles,  presented  to 
them  his  library,  an  invaluable  accession  to  their  lit- 
erary property — thus,  in  11310,  before  twenty  years 
had  elapsed  ;  the  formerly  uncultivated  barrens  of 
the  Atlantic  coast,  were  adorned  with  a  splendid  in- 
stitution, which,  in  connection  with  the  printing-otfice 
that  commenced  its  operations  nearly  at  the  same  e- 
ra,  like  the  sun  in  his  progress  to  the  meridian,  con- 
tinued to  emit  with  accelerating  force  the  rays  of 
truth,  until  the  triumphs  of  Puritanism  were  reverber- 


CENTURIES    XVI. XVIH.  40  J 

atecliri  the  declaration  of  Independence.  Prior  to 
the  Revoluti©n  several  other  literary  inf^tikitions  had 
attained  considerable  eminence,  and  iiad  become  ex- 
tensively useful.  Yale  college  was  founded  about 
the  commencement  of  the  eighteenth  century — Wil- 
Ham  and  Mary  in  Virginia  at  the  same  period — Nas- 
sau Hall  in  1746 — and  Dartmouth  in  1769. 

Synods. — These  met  in  New  England  on  several  oc- 
casions ;  the  tirst  in  1637,  to  counteract  Antinomian- 
isra  ;  the  second  in  1646,  which  established  the  plat- 
form of  church  government ;  the  third  in  1 657,  which 
decided  upon  the  subjects  of  baptism,  and  the  asso- 
ciation of  churches;  and  a  fourth  in  1680,  called  the 
Heforming  Sytwd  ;  as  the  object  was,  if  possible,  to 
restrain  the  various  departures  from  christian  purity 
-which  the  colony  deplored.  Their  efforts  were  of 
vast  influence ;  and  as  no  ecclesiastical  body  was 
ever  collected  from  nobler  motives  or  lor  a  superior 
design,  so  no  similar  assembly  in  the  annals  of  the 
church,  was  ever  more  successful  in  consummating 
their  purpose.  It  must  be  subjoined  that  the  estab- 
lished doctrines  of  the  Puritans  were  Calvinistic,  and 
their  discipline  and  order  Independent  or  Congrega- 
tional. As  the  Synods  of  the  Lutherans,  Reformed 
Dutch,  and  Presbyterian  denominations  are  standing 
bodies,  held  at  stated  periods,  it  is  unnecessary  to  no- 
tice proceedings  which  are  almost  invariably  uniform. 
Distinctions. — As  the  principal  sects  have  already 
been  described  in  their  prominent  characteristics  ; 
it  is  requisite  only  to  display  the  existing  dilferences 
between  the  American  and  European  christians  of 
the  same  denomination. 

The  Cotigregationalists  of  New  England,  especially 
in  Connecticut,  differ  from  the  primitive  and  present 
tbreign  Independents  in  one  point  only  ;  the  consoci- 
ation of  churches.  This  subject  affords  four  points 
of  consideration — the  Independents  of  the  original 
class  allow  their  ministers  to  associate  for  mutual  fel- 
lowship, and  to  devise  measures  to  spread  the  gospeK 
but  they  possess  no  powerin  that  capacity  to  iiilerfere 


406  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XIX. 

in  the  affairs  of  the  churches,  or  to  authorize  candi- 
dates for  the  ministry  to  preach,  or  in  any  measure 
to  legislate  for  the  people  of  their  charge;  as  (hoy 
do  not  admit  of  any  formal  compact  of  churches. 
The  Baptist  churches  are  united  in  assemblies  of 
delegated  messengers,  but  their  occasional  associa- 
tions have  not  the  smallest  portion  of  ecclesiastical 
authority — the  Presbyterians  have  regularly  organi- 
zed bodies  composed  of  every  ordained  minister,  and 
an  elder  from  each  congregation,  who  have  a  legisla- 
tive authority  over  all  the  churches  within  a  certain 
district,  whether  it  be  a  Presbytery  or  Synod,  or  by 
representation  in  the  General  Assembly  ;  these  are 
clothed  with  great  ecclesiastical  powers — the  Meth- 
odist ministers  regularly  meet  in  conference,  and  pos- 
sess unlimited  controul  over  all  the  concerns  of  the 
church,  but  exclude  all  interference  on  the  part  of 
the  members  in  their  societies — but  the  Congrega- 
tionalists  of  New  England  have  adopted  a  plan  which 
is  different  from  either  of  them  ;  their  churches  are 
consociated  like  the  Baptists,  but  the  ministers  on- 
ly assemble  like  the  Independents  and  Methodists  ; 
and  although  they  disavow  all  interference  in  the 
internal  affairs  of  churches,  yet  they  hold  the 
right  to  withhold  their  communion  in  case  of  heresy 
or  disorder  on  the  part  of  any  particular  church 
by  which  the  fellowship  of  christians  is  dissolved. 
To  them  also  is  committed  the  examination  and  in- 
troduction of  candidates  to  the  office  of  the  ministry: 
so  that  the  present  system  of  Americai\  Congrega- 
tionalism is  neither  the  perfect  democracy  of  the  In- 
dependents and  Baptists,  nor  the  aristocratic  au- 
thority of  the  Presbyterians  and  Methodists:  arul  it 
may  be  safely  assumed,  that  the  Congregational,  in- 
cluding the  Baptist  ecclesiastical  order  and  discip- 
line in  their  spirit  and  purity,  approximate  nearer  to 
apostolic  and  primitive  forms  than  those  adopted  by 
any  other  denominations  ofchristians 

The    Presbylcrian  and  the  Reformed  Dutch  'hfirvhes 
adhere  to  the  same  standards   as  their    European 


CENTURIES  XVI XVIII.  407 

brethren.  The  former  to  the  Westminster  Assem- 
bly's Confession  and  constitution  ;  the  latter  to  the 
articles  and  canons  of  the  Synod  of  Dort. 

The  German  Lutherans  and  Cahinists  are  also  in- 
flexibly attached  to  their  ancient  confession  and  cat- 
echisms and  order. 

The  Baptists  are  identical  in  doctrine  and  govern- 
ment with  their  foreign  members. 

i  he  Quakers  preserve  a  uniformity  and  similarity 
of  character,  tenets  and  discipline  with  their  British 
Friends. 

The  American  Methodists  continue  generally  in 
the  faith,  order,  and  practice  transmitted  to  them  af- 
ter the  revolutionary  war,  by  John  Wesley :  the  dif- 
ference between  them  and  the  Europeans  is  merely 
external.  In  Britain,  the  conference  performs  some 
of  those  duties  which  are  here  delegated  to  the 
Bishops — but  the  irresponsible  power  to  appoint  the 
stations  of  all  the  preachers  in  the  connection  virtual- 
ly gives  to  the  episcopate,  t!ie  uncontrouled  direction 
of  all  the  affairs  in  their  church  ;  the  conference 
being  in  fact,  where  every  minister  depends  upon 
the  Bishop  for  his  comfort,  merely  assemblies  for 
form,  convenience,  and  friendly  intercourse.  The 
divisions  among  the  Methodists  upon  the  questions 
connected  with  government  are  not  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  demand  distinct  notice. 

The  Episcopalians  universally  subscribe  the  same 
doctrinal  calvinistic  articles ;  generally  it  is  believed, 
uiiite  in  the  Arminian  interpretation  of  them;  with 
trilling  verbal  alterations  use  the  same  liturgical  or- 
der ;  and  are  governed  by  the  same  canons,  as  far 
as  their  varied  relations  as  residents  of  different 
countries  admit.  It  is  difficult  to  discover  any  dis- 
crepatice  except  in  their  external  administration. 
The  right  of  patronage  in  this  union  being  unknown, 
leaves  to  each  congregation  the  choice  of  its  Rector; 
and  the  power  which  in  England  is  vested  in  the 
king,  is  here  partially  exercised  by  diocesan  and 
general  convention*.     It  must  theretbre  be  admitted, 


1.08  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XlS, 

that  as  all  the  most  corrupt  and  papistical  parts  ol 
the  English  episcopacy,  are  in  these  states  necessari- 
ly excluded  -,  the  comparative  want  of  increase  which 
characterises  tjjis  denomination,  must  be  imputed 
to  other  causes,  than  the  truth  of  their  standard  ar- 
ticles, or  the  sanctity  of  some  oi  their  devotional 
forms. 

The  Papists  in  the  United  States  are  in  general 
very  exactly  assimilated  to  the  European  adherents 
of  the  popedom;  except  that  they  cannot  so  lucidly 
develope  the  characteristics  of  the  x'Vpostacy.  They 
exhibit  the  same  idolatrous  ignorance  and  almost  in- 
curable aversion  from  the  truth  ;  and  possess  simi- 
lar malignity  and  ferocity  against  all  the  denomina- 
tions of  Protestants. 

The  21  resent  state  of  the  different  sects. — In  point  of 
numbers.it  is  understood;  that  the  Congregational- 
ists  combine  the  largest  proportion  of  members  ;  be- 
tween the  Baptists  and  the  various  divisions  of  Pres- 
byterians, including  the  Pieformed  Dutch  churches,  it 
is  dilRcult  to  decide,  as  the  latter  have  not  minutely 
computed  their  communicants  ;  the  Methodists  fol- 
low, and  are  separated  only  by  a  very  small  distance. 
Each  of  these  four  denominations  is  in  a  very  flour- 
ishing condition — their  increase  in  every  grace  and 
good  word  and  work,  and  numbers,  is  incessant — 
they  are  all  zealously  employed  in  propagating  the 
knowledge  of  Christ  and  Him  crucified,  in  every  ac- 
cessible part  of  the  union,  among  the  Indian  tribes, 
and  in  various  countries  ol  the  idolaters  ;  and  an  in- 
creasing spirit  of  co-operation  in  this  blessed  work 
among  these  different  christians  strongly  marks  the 
present  period  ;  and  delightfully  prognosticates  the 
prosperity  of  the  Republic  as  well  as  of  the  Redeem- 
er's kingdom. 

The  society  of  Friends  and  the  Episcopalians,  it 
is  believed,  if  they  augment  at  all,  move  forward  with 
slow  progression  ;  and  not  from  the  convictions  of 
truth,  or  the  result  of  exertion  ;  but  merely  as  a  con- 
sequence of  the  continual  rapidity  with  which  our 
population  multiplies  and  is  dispersed. 


CEN'Ib'RiES  XVI XVIII. 


40$ 


Who  can  remember  the   prominent  events  of  oui* 
history  without  equal  astonishment  and   gratitude  ? 
Scarcely  200  years  have  elapsed,  since  the  Ameri- 
can wilds  furnished  a  refuge  for  the  persecuted  Pu- 
ritans— the  spirit  of  the  Reformation  then  was  dying- — 
rjevertheless,  the  Lord  inspired  the  only  terrestrial 
band  of  christians,  wlio  completely  understood  the 
nature  of  evangelical  truth  and  privileges,  and  who 
were  resolved  to  adhere  to  them  ;  to  escape  into  a 
region,  where,  under  his  care,  '•  the  little  one  might 
become  a  thousand  and  the  smoll  one  a  strong  nation  : 
the    Lord  has  hastened   it  in  his  time.^'     One  mode 
exists,  by  which  we  may   practically  exemplify  our 
thanklldness  to  the  great  governor  of  the  universe — 
an  adhesion  to  our   lundamental  principles,  and  the 
adoption  of  every  evangelical  and  pacific  method  to 
disseminate  them  throughout  the  world.     We  formal- 
ly deny  the  rectitude  of  all  religious  intolerance  and 
persecution,   never  admit  their  irruptions — we  pro- 
fessedly abominate  all  ofTensive  wars,  never  provoke 
national  assault — and  we  declare   that  all  men  are 
possessed  of  inalienable  civil  immunities,  let  us  cease 
to  abrogate  the  privileges  of  our  citizens !— and  as 
the  extensive  commerce  of  our  Republics  in  connec- 
tioti   with  the  adaptation  of  our  social  institutions  to 
the    condition  of  all  mankind,  gives  the  American 
character  an  unrivalled  influence  among  foreign  na- 
'tions;  it  is  our  most  exalted  duty  '"  to  proclaim  the 
acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,"  by  carrying  the  light  of 
revealed  truth,  wherever  the  star-spangled  banner  is 
unfurled,  and  by  recommending  it  to  all  our  fellow 
immortals,  as  the  sole  chart  of  our  freedom,  the  grand 
source  of  our  prosperity,  the  only  consolation  of  man 
in  this  world,   and  the  ejfectu.d  guarantee  to  all  its 
disciples  of  felicity  boundless  and  everlasting. 


RELIGIOUS  L-«ST1TUT10\S. 


The  first  truly  missionary  labours  were  the  resulr 
of  those  principles  which  induced  our  ancestors  to 
mi£(rate  from  Europe.  Elliott  the  Apostle  of  the  In- 
dians. May  hew  and  Brainerd  are  the  pioneers  that 
opened  tlie  path  into  tiie  wilderness  of  paganism.  A 
few  others  who  are  renowned  in  the  christian  annals 
devoted  themselvesto  this  arduous  work,  amongwhom 
Swartz  stands  pre-eminent;  but  it  is  indisputable, 
that  with  a  small  number  of  individual  exceptions, 
until  nearly  the  middle  of  the  last  century,  the  whole 
Protestant  world  was  in  a  state  of  lethargy  respecting 
the  exteiision  of  the  church;  and  exhibited  an  awful 
insensibility  to  the  value  of  the  immortal  souls  of  the 
heathen  living  in  gloom,  and  dying  in  impenitence  and. 
sin. 

On  the  contrary,  the  age  in  which  we  live,  is  em- 
phatically the  era  of  evangelical  philanthropy  and 
zeal.  Two  societies  were  formed  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  eighteenth  century  to  counteract  iliC  ig- 
norance of  religion  in  Great  Britain  and  her  territo- 
ries;  but  their  exertions  were  feeble  and  almost  in-  . 
eff'f'ctual.  The  Moravians  had  combined  their  la- 
bours in  the  arduous  work,  to  demoli^h  idolatry  ;  yd 
aml<l  the  desolation  produced  by  sin,  even  their  no- 
bl'.'  uid  successful  etForts  were  almost  imperceptible; 
but  within  the  last  40  years  an  impulse  has  been 
given  to  christian  energy  on  bi  half  of  our  glorified 
Lord,  which  it  is  the  acme  of  corrupt  inf  ituation  to 
atte  npt  to  oppose.  A  very  brief  notice  of  the  asso- 
ciations organized  for  the  purpose  of  extending  "  pure 
and  undcliled  religion,"  will  form  a  proper  introduc- 
tion to  our  prospective  survey  of  the  church  of  Christ, 
when  the  Lord  shall  say,  to  all  "  the  prisoners  go 


CENTURY  XIX.  41  I 

forth  ;  and   to  ail  them  who  are  in  darkness,  shew 
yourselves." 

However  awful  and  bitter  were  the  miseries  which 
flowed  irom  the  Revolution  in  France  in  1789;  it  is 
undeniable,  that  it  has  produced  a  new  era  in  the 
moral  and  religious  ijistory  ol  rnankind.  Impossible 
as  it  may  be  for  us  yet  to  say  precisely,  in  consequence 
probably,  of  our  defective  chronology,  to  what  tre- 
mendous event,  1260  years  since,  it  bears  relation; 
yet  it  has  excited  a  large  portion  of  the  dormant  and 
careless  world  to  sleepless  activity  and  solicitude. 

in  its  results,  it  has  shaken  the  whole  fabric  of  the 
Mohammedan  Apostacy;  and  has  so  palsied  the  pow- 
er of  the  Man  of  Sin,  that  in  the  almost  perfect  quie- 
tus of  his  myrmidons,  the  Monks  and  the  Inquisition, 
he  has  lost  if  not  his  will,  at  least,  his  potency  ;  so 
that  divine  truth  without  a  veil  may  be  promulged  in 
"  the  regions  which  sat  in  darkness."  The  European 
concussions  through  the  effervescence  of  christian 
love,  have  unexpectedly  tended  most  mightily  to  pro- 
pagate the  Gospel  of  Christ.  From  the  re&tless  en- 
deavours of  the  Redeemer's  disciples,  >>  decided  al- 
teration must  eventually  be  displayed  in  Europe : 
doubtless,  the  revolution  is  at  a  greater  distance  than 
our  impatience  or  desires  would  place  it ;  and  it 
will  be  attended  with  immense  difficulties  ;  but  the 
movements  of  the  Protestant  world  to  counteract  the 
delusions  ol  sin  and  Satan  are  now  irresistible.  vV  ith- 
out  a  remarkable  change  in  the  affliirs  of  the  Gre-^ks, 
whicii  cannot  rationally  be  anticipated  :  tlie  Pelo- 
ponnesus and  the  Archipelago,  especially  as  the  ty- 
pographical art  is  now  developing  its  mysterious  won- 
ders among  them,  must  become  Reformed.  The  des- 
cendants of  the  Huguenots  are  beginning  io  unioul  a 
high  degree  of  that  character  which,  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  rendered  them  the  greatest  glory  of  the  re- 
formed religion,  and  the  purest  church  which  th  mi 
existed  in  Europe.  "A  larger  stroamof  christian  blood 
has  been  effused  in  France  for  the  testimony  ol  'iie 
truth,    than  in  any    other    country ;    and   howeve" 


412  ECCLKSIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LFXTURE    rX. 

tremendous  was  the  retribution  thirty  years  since;  it 
is  a  subject  of  great  gratitude,  that  like  the  fabled 
Phoenix,  issuing  from  its  aslies.  the  2050  former  Pro- 
testant congregations  with  their  faithful  ministers^ 
have  experienced  a  revival,  and  are  arising  from  the 
concealment  imposed  upon  them  by  the  revocation 
of  the  edict  of  Nanlz. 

The  seat  of  the  Beast  at  present,  includes  the  Aus- 
trian dominions,  France,  Italy,  Spain  and  Portugal  ; 
but  all  the  Protestant  nations  are  alive  ;  and  however 
secret  and  Jesuitical  the  attempts  of  the  Papal  de- 
votees, it  is  hoped  the  iniluence  of  the  gospel  will  in- 
terrupt their  ungodly  designs  :  notwithstanding,  it  is 
truly  remarkable;,  that  Popery  subsists  in  all  its  gloom 
and  malevolence  in  its  ancient  domains,  and  that  it  is 
exteiiding  its  odious  leaven  among  the  Protestants, 
especially  in  Great  Britain,  so  as  to  excite  very  se- 
rious and  just  alarms  for  the  pernicious  effects. 

The  institutions  which  have  been  organized  to 
promulge  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  of  Christ,  may  be 
generally  classified;  -a^  Missionary  ;  Typographical; 
or  Education  Societies. 

Education. — The  Scotch  and  the  Puritans  were  the 
only  people  among  the  ancient  Reformed  who  at- 
/tached  to  the  education  of  youth  its  superlative  im- 
portance; hence  their  characteristic  superiority  to 
the  rest  of  ihe  world  in  morals  and  illumination 
was  the  natural  effect  of  their  general  solicitude  for 
menial  culture ;  their  example,  however,  is  now 
very  extensively  followed. 

In  many  of  the  United  States,  elementary  learning 
is  the  object  of  legal  provision — in  Great  Britain, 
Ireland  and  France,  the  Lancastrian  method  of  tui- 
tion is  rapidly  erdarging  its  intluence;  in  the  Protes- 
tant portion  of  the  continent  of  Europe,  its  results  are 
commencing  to  be  manilested  ;  and  the  instruction  of 
the  juniors  forms  a  very  interesting  and  prominent 
department  of  the  Missionary's  exalted  and  self-deny- 
ing labou/s. 


I 


CENTURY    >.1X.  413 

If  we  regard  the  objects  of  education  in  a  more 
serious  aspect,  we  instantaneously  discover,  that  the 
Sunciay-Schoois  combine  a  most  eificient  adjunct  to 
the  general  endeavours  for  religious  improvement. 
The  beneiicial  consequences  of  this  system  in  dimin- 
ishifigthe  profanation  of  the  Lonl's  day,  in  extend- 
ing the  knowledge  of  the  sacred  volume,  and  in 
forming  the  juvenile  mind  to  devotional  habits,  ex- 
ceed all  that  imagination  can  grasp;  and  facts  have 
amply  verified,  that  the  morals  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion are  in  a  very  iiiiportant  degree  iniluenced  by 
their  attendance  id  the  Sunday-School-  Every  en- 
largement of  this  plan  to  do  good  will  necessarily 
be  accompanied  with  the  most  delightful  advantages, 
uiitil  the  labours  of  the  Teachers  and  the  studies  of 
the  Pupils  shall  all  be  absorbed  in  the  splendours  of 
the  latte.-day  glory. 

Typographical — This  combines  two  classes  of  as- 
sociatior;s  :  the  dissemination  of  religious  tracts;  and 
the  Bible  societies.  The  publication  of  cheap  edi- 
tions of  valuable  religious  books,  for  sale  at  a  very 
low  price  or  for  donations  to  the  poor  is  not  of  late 
origin ;  the  society  for  the  promotion  of  religious 
knowledge  has  existed  more  than  a  century;  but  its 
aflfiirs  were  never  conducted  with  zeal,  or  with  due 
consideration  respecting  the  actual  state  of  the  mass 
of  the  community.  Mr.  Wesley  with  his  usual  perspi- 
cacity, immediately  comprehended  the  vast  influ- 
ence of  the  type,  and  attached  to  his  society  a  spe- 
cial printing  and  publishing  concern  ;  it  disseminated 
a  prodigious  quantity  of  works  at  a  cheap  rate  ;  and 
deducting  for  its  large  proportion  of  controversial 
divinity,  promulged  saving  knowledge  to  a  wide  ex- 
tent, among  the  most  ignorant  and  thoughtless  multi- 
tudes in  Great  Britain.  To  the  religious  Tract  So- 
cieties we  are  principally  indebted  for  the  grand  and 
appropriate  use  of  the  press  ;  they  have  seized  the 
weapon  by  which  infidelity  and  licentiousness  with- 
ered and  polluted  the  human  intellect  and  sensibili- 
ties, and  by  the  immensity  and  versatility  of  their 


414  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XX. 

Operations  have  proclaimed  revealed  truth  in  everj 
possible  form,  and  suited  to  all  ages,  conditions, 
seasons,  occasions  and  circumstances  ;  so  that  it 
propagates  the  liglit  and  the  heat  of  the  oracles  de- 
livered by  the  Sun  of  righteousness,  in  the  most  un- 
expected and  yet  resistless  manner.  Some  of  the 
most  remarkable  events  in  the  history  of  man  are  in- 
corporated with  the  mysterious  travels  of  religious 
tracts. 

A  delightful  feature  of  the  present  era  is  the  acce- 
lerating increase  of  regularly  issued  religious  publi- 
cations, devoted  exclusively  to  theological  discus- 
sions and  missionary  intelligence;  this  has  transfor- 
med the  reading  character  of  the  christian  world: 
these  maintain  the  truth  in  all  its  vivid  /leshness,  and 
constitute  the  fuel  by  which  the  illumination  and  the 
fire  of  an  ardent  zeal  for  God,  and  an  inextinguisha- 
ble love  to  man  are  enlivened  to  continual  brightn'^ss 
and  activity.  Thirty  years  ago,  it  is  believed,  but 
two  strictly  religious  ma2:azines  were  dispersed,  the 
Evangelical  and  Arminian,  and  those  both  in  Lon- 
don ;  at  present  it  is  impossible  to  enumerate  them. 
It  is  sufficient  to  remark,  that  they  surpass  in  num- 
bers all  the  other  merely  literary  repositories  of  in- 
telligence, valuable  as  many  of  them  undoubtedly 
are,  and  that  in  this  Republic  equally  with  all 
the  Protestant  countries  of  Europe,  they  comprize 
an  essential,  and  in  truth,  a  necessary  portion  of  the 
daily  mental  food  of  every  family  which  realizes  a 
due  solicitude  for  the  glory  ofGod,  the  salvation  of 
souls,  and  the  amplitude  of  the  church  of  Christ. 

But  these  powerful  instruments  to  demolish  the 
empire  of  Satan,  are  in  some  measure  obliterated  ; 
when  contrasted  with  the  irresistible  atchievmeits 
of  that  most  mighty  invention,  the  Bible  Society. 
Twenty  years  have  not  elapsed  since  these  institu- 
tions were  primarily  organized  ;  and  already  in  the 
various  languages  spoken  by  a  large  majority  of 
mankind,  the  wondoijbl  works  of  God,  as  declaim  d 
in  the  sacred  scriptures,  have  been  translated.     So 


CENTURY    XIX.  415. 

stupendous,  magnificent  and  multiplying  are  the  op- 
erations of  this  immense  machine,  that  it  is  utterly 
impossible  for  the  pen  of  the  historian  to  detail  its 
unparallelled  triumphs,  with  a  celerity  equal  to  that 
with  which  its  irruptions  into  the  regions  of  error, 
iniidelity  and  idolatry  are  commenced  and  sustained  ; 
to  one  event  and  that  the  most  splendid  in  ecclesiasti- 
cal history,  the  progress  of  these  institutions  bears  a 
striking  analogy,  and  similar  effects  have  partially 
resulted— the  effusion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  on  the  day  of 
Pentecost;  and  it  may  be  merely  subjoined, not  only 
that  ail  the  commercial  intercourse  of  nations  is  now 
indescribably  affected  by  the  missionaries  of  differ- 
ent sects  and  countries  ;  but  also  that  a  person  who 
remains  ignorant  of  the  diversified  modern  reports 
from  the  Bible  agents,  and  the  missionary  explorers, 
within  the  last  30  years,  continues  wilfully  destitute 
of  a  larger  quantity  of  und-eniably  correct  geographi- 
cal, statistical,  and  historical  information  respecting 
our  globe  and  its  various  inhabitants;  than  all  the 
w  riters  of  travels  combined,  during  the  prior  eighteen 
centuries,  can  communicate. 

The  principal  Bible  Societies  are  the  British  and 
Foreign — the  American — the  Russian — the  Nether- 
lands—the Prussian — the  Swedish— the  Danish— and 
the  Paris  Protestant,  with  their  respective  auxilaries'; 
but  a  very  large  number  of  minor  institutions  are  ac- 
tively employed  in  more  contracted  circles  to  dissem- 
inate in  their  own  vernacular  languages  the  word  of 
God ;  and  these  are  increasing  so  extensively  and  rap- 
idly, that  like  the  children  of  Israel  when  the  man  af- 
ter God's  own  heart  reigned,  we  can  only  pray  "now 
may  the  Lord  God  add  unto  this  people,  how  many 
soever  they  be,  a  hundred  fold,  and  may  our  eyes 
see  it  !"     Amen. 

Missionary. — Notwithstanding  all  the  joyous  effects 
which  have  resulted  from  the  labours  of  Missionaries, 
it  may  still  emphatically  be  declared,  "the  world  li^ 
eth  in  wickedness?."  Africa,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  southern  district  is  a  land  of  gross  darkness  : 


jlG  F.rCLESIASTICAL      HISTORY.  LECTURE     XX. 

America,  the  United  States  and  part  ofthe  Jjritish 
colonies  alone  excluded,  is  either  immured  in  Jiidian 
idolatry  or  llomish  superstition  :  Asia,  except  where 
the    voluntarily  exiled  servants  of  Jesus  roam  and 
preoch    and   teach,  is   "Satan's   seat,  wheie  .^ati.i 
dwollcth  ;"  and  even  of  Europe,  a  large   majority 
ofiis  inhabitants  are  apostates  uith  Mohammed,  or 
stamped   with  "  the   mrfk  of  the  Besst :    prr:j  yc 
therefore  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he  will  sent, 
forth  labourers  into  his  harvest."    The  work  perfor 
med  by  Missionaries,  according  to  the  presentsystem, 
is  surely  modern.     Moravians  commenced  this  ener 
getic  warfare  against  the  hosts  of  darkness,  seven!} 
years  ago:  in    1787.  the  Methodists  established   { 
mission,    which  confined  its    labours    chietly  to  th( 
British   West  India  islands:  and  thirty  years   since 
the  Baptists  instituted  a  society,    which  when  con 
templated  in  the  feebleness  of  its  original  means,  thr 
gradually   augmentifig   and   incalculable  benefits  i 
has  produced,  or  the  astonishing  extent  of  influenc( 
in  the  world,  which  the  Brethren  of  the  mission  a 
Seramnore   have  justly    attained,  we  are  not  onlj 
constrained  to  exclaim,  "what  hath  God  wrought  ?■' 
but  are  obliged  to  admit,  that  viewed  in  all  the  cir- 
cumstances, no  men  in  modern  history  have  surpas- 
sed them  in  indefatigable  exertions,  vast  learning, 
exalted  philanthropy,  and  that  constellation  of  evan- 
gelical virtues,  wliich  have  filled  the  whole  christian 
world  with  their  irradiation. 

Nevertheless  it  must  be  admitted,  that  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  London  Missionary  Society  in  J79.5, 
forms  the  epocha  whence  to  date  that  uruntermitling 
vigour  and  quenchless  zeal  which  have  subsequently 
characterized,  not  oidy  the  institutions  which  liad 
been  previously  founded,  but  also  those  .which  have 
subsequently  been  formed.  In  the  very  comn.ence- 
ment  of  that  society  ;  its  general  basis,  including  all 
sects  of  believers,  its  imposing  patronage,  its  ini- 
mcnse  funds,  its  grand  objects,  and  its  liberal  spirit 
excited  a  perfect   concussion  among  all  them  who 


CKXTURY    XIX.  417 

l(tvetl  '•  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity."  Its 
iiiaojnitude  of  luunbers,  aiul  inimenbitv  ot"operatiot]s 
sooM  attracted  i^eneral  attention  ;  but  this  was  aided 
by  the  £vanii;e!icrj  Magazine,  which,  becoming  ihe 
vehicle  of  all  religious  intelligence ;  disseminated 
tiie  missionary  spirit  until  a  llame  of  devotedness  to 
the  God  of  Israel,  in  publishing  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  him  crucified,  has  been  enkitidled,  which 
authorizes  the  expectation  that  it  will  never  more  be 
smothered,  mucli  less  extinguished.  At  all  events, 
now,  it  would  be  more  practicable  to  exterminate 
t'ne  slumbering  fires  of  either  of  the  volcanos  with  a 
bucket  of  water,  than  to  extirpate  that  temper  so 
highly  eulogized  by  the  inspired  Apostle,  "  it  is  good 
to  be  zealously  aiTected  always  in  a  good  thing." 

Since  that  period  other  societies  have  been  con- 
stituted by  ditierent  denominations:  but  their  do- 
mestic controversial  contests  are  all  closed  when 
they  enter  the  regions  of  idolaters  : — the  watchword 
there  is,  the  Lord  or  Baal,  and  in  the  momentous 
strife  to  rescue  immortal  souls  from  present  satanic 
bondage,  and  interminable  ngony  beyond  the  grave, 
they  forget  sectarianism,  and  live  arid  "  fight  the  good 
fight  of  faith,"  as  brethren. 

The  principal  existing  societies  and  stations  for 
missionaries,  with  the  pubVicalions  which  record  their 
proceedings  are  comprised  in  the  following  catalogue. 

The  Church  Missionary  Society  have  devoted  their 
large  funds  to  promulgiite  the  gospel  tSirough  the 
British  dominions  in  India,  the  western  coast  of  Af- 
rica, and  to  the  introduction  of  Christianity  into  west- 
ern Asia;  combining  the  expenditures  attached  to 
the  translation  and  printing  of  the  Bible  in  various 
languages  :  they  issue  a  Missionary  Register. 

The  London  Missionary  Society  occupy  many  of 
the  South  Sea  Islands,  Catlraria,  Pvlalacca.  Ce\  Ion,  and 
Madagascar,  with  numerous  otlier  miiior  sti:  tio*  s  in 
I'litidostan.  Their  Missionary,  Dr.  Morrison,  at  C  ai- 
ton,  has  completed  a  most  gigantic  work,  the  tran-la- 
tion  of  the  Bible  into  the  Cliinese  language,  and  is  al- 
3  E 


4li3  ECCLKSIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XX. 

SO  establishing  a  college  at  Malacca,  to  extend  the 
knowleclge  of  eastern  literature  ;  and  especially  to 
institute  a  seminary  where  the  Chinese  converts  may 
attain  such  an  acquaintance  with  revealed  theology; 
as  eventually  to  (juality  them  to  introduce  the  gos- 
pel of  Jesus,  into  the  inmost  recesses  of  the  temples, 
*vhich  are  dedicated  to  Satan's  earthly  representa- 
tives, in  that  immense  region  of  idolatrous  corruption. 
In  the  islands  of  the  Pacific,  the  labours  of  their 
Missionaries,  by  the  divine  benediction,  have  achiev- 
ed the  most  triumphant  display  of  the  grace  of  the 
Redeemer  over  the  strongholds  of  Satan,  since  the 
Apostolic  century  :  theirannals  are  published  in  the 
Evangelical  Magazine. 

The  VVesleyan  Missionary  Society  have  employed 
their  energies  with  great  success  in  evangelizing  the 
slaves  in  the  West  India  Islands;  but  they  also  have 
stationed  missionaries  in  India,  Caflfraria,  Ceylon  and 
in  the  North  American  British  territories  :  their  pro- 
ceedings are  detailed  in  the  Methodist  Magazine. 

The  Baptist  Missionary  Society  have  confined 
their  efTorts  chiefly  to  British  India  and  Ceylon; 
where  Dr.  Marshman,  by  translating  the  Old  and 
New  Testaments  into  tlie  Chinese  language,  which, 
in  connection  with  Dr.  Morrison's  publication,  is  one 
of  the  most  eventful  occurrences  in  the  history  of  the 
translations  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  by  printing 
the  sacred  volume  in  nearly  all  the  tongues  and  dia- 
lects spoken  by  one  hundred  millions  of  Hindoos  ;  by 
the  increasing  number  of  their  missionary  stations; 
and  by  their  education  of  native  converts  as  ministers 
of  the  gospel,  they  have  undoubtedly  infused  into  the 
abominable  mass  of  Brahminical  ignorance  and  cor- 
ruption, a  redeeming  spirit  which  at  some  future  pe- 
riod by  the  etTectual  operations  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
will  develope  the  most  splendid  consequences:  their 
periodical  accounts  and  the  Baptist  Magazine  fur- 
nish the  details  of  their  success  as  christians,  schol- 
ars and  preachers. 

A  society  has  lately  been  organized  by  the  Protes- 


CENTURY  XIX.  419 

tants  of  France,  who  have  selected  Palcsline  for  tiie 
primary  field  of  their  labours  :  and  whose  strength 
and  ardour  encourao;e  tlie  hcpe,  that  ere  lo!i<^,  thev 
will  march  with  similar  brightness  and  expansion,  by 
the  side  of  their  European  and  Columbian  associates  : 
they  have  also  commenced  a  publication  for  mission- 
ary intelligence. 

These  constitute  the  principal  foreign  societies, 
including  tticir  auxiliary  associalioiis  ;  in  the  United 
States  five  societies  exist  for  the  same  august  object. 

The  American  Board  of  Foreign  n}issions  was  in- 
stituted about  10  years  since,  and  already  have  assu- 
med a  very  distinguished  statioii  amoiig  these  evan- 
gelical labourers.  Palestine,  the  Britisfi  dominionfi 
in  Asia,  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  our  aboriginal  In- 
dians participate  in  the  benefits  of  their  philanthro- 
py. Among  the  latter  especially,  their  progress  has 
been  highly  important  and  exliilarating  ;  and  ihey  are 
gradually  augmenting  in  all  the  capacities  to  melio- 
rate mankind.  It  is  not  a  little  extraordinary,  that 
the  citizens  of  these  states,  the  soil  of  which  was  not 
cultivated  until  nearly  1(500  years  after  the  Saviours 
resurrection,  should  rank  among  the  first  Protestant 
christians,  to  attempt  the  restoration  ofMessialrs 
honours  in  that  land,  where  his  godlike  wonders  were 
displayed  ;  and  to  explore  the  scenery  of  Judea, 
where  "  Jesus  of  Nazareth  went  about  doing  good." 
Probably,  the  most  lucid  and  devoiionally  ailecling 
description  of  Palestine  from  Joppa  to  the  river  Jor- 
dan, and  the  most  accurate  and  impressive  delinea- 
tion of  the  present  state  of  the  seven  churches  of  Asia 
have  been  furnished  by  Mr.  Parsons  lately  disembod- 
ied and  removed  to  the  New  Jerusalem,  and  Mv.  Fisk 
their  honored  Missionaries.  The  expenses  of  this 
Board  are  contributed  chieily  by  the  Congregodoii- 
alists:  they  publish  the  Missionary  Flerald. 

The  Baptist  r;oard  ofForeigrs  Missions. in  adilfiion 
to  great  exertions  to  extend  the  gospel  amorn^'rlije 
tribes  of  Heathen  Indians  on  the  bonlers  of  the  lie- 
public,  have  niaii'tiined  a  missioii  in  tfie  Burman  em^ 


420  ECCLESIASTICAL    H1ST0KV.  LKl  lUHE  XX, 

pire;  wliere  tlie  transbilion  of  ijic  .Scriptnros  and 
the  operations  of  the  pre^b  have  been  pr<  paring:;  the 
way  lor  a  larj;e  harvest  in  the  Lord's  appointed  time  : 
they  issue  the  Latler-diiy  Luminary. 

The  United  i^'oreign  JNiissionary  Society,  compo- 
sed of  the  Presbyterian  and  Dutch  Reformed  denom- 
inations, have  as  yet,  coniined  their  attention  to  the 
Indian  tribes  around  us;  ihcy  occupy  five  missionary 
stations,  and  are  xery  rapidly  extendirjg  their  noble 
elForts  :  they  print  the  Missionary  Register. 

The  Methodists  have  also  hitely  established  a 
general  society  for  tfie  ,  purpose  of  dilfusiijg  the 
knowledge  of  the  Redeemer  among  the  Heathen  ; 
and  its  labours  are  commencing  with  their  ciiaracter- 
istic  eartiestness  and  zeal. 

A  very  interesting  institution  has  bv-^en  organized 
in  this  union,  vvliicli,  if  properly  conducted,  may  be 
very  iiiduential  in  improving  the  condition  of  the  Ai- 
rican  desarls;  the  colon hal ion  aoc'iciy.  Although  not 
expressly  founded  lor  religious  purposes  ;  yet  popu- 
lar opinion  has  combined  so  much  christiatj  feeling 
with  Its  adoption  and  plans,  that  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  particular- 
ly, the  most  inilucntial  of  the  tirst  emigrants  are  de- 
cidedly believers  in  Jesus,  and  all  the  measures  whicli 
the  society  has  adopted  tend  to  the  predominance  of 
gospel  principles,  as  the  corner  stoFie  of  the  settle- 
ment. Should  the  colony  enlar^-e  like  the  Puritaii 
districts  of  New  England,  in  its  pious  characteristics 
as  well  as  temporal  prosperity  ;  it  may  then  in  some 
measure  be  instrumental  to  commute  by  the  donation 
of  the  Gospel  and  its  blessings,  lor  the  numberless 
and  indescribable  miseries  wliich  through  the  slave 
trade,  tliesons  of  Africa  have  suffered  from  the  civil- 
ized wdUons  of  Europe  and  America. 

A  christian  spectator,  who  correctly  reflects, 
while  enumerating  this  catalogue  of  evangelical  in- 
stitutions, cannot  avoid  acknowledging  with  grati- 
tude the  connection  between  them,  and  the  most  in- 
fluential characteristic  of  the  present  period :  that 


CENTURY  XIX.  42! 

I'catiire  nhich  unfolds  a  striking  cor.ti-ns(  with  nntc- 
lior  nj;es  of  the  clmrch,  even  since  the  Relbrnintion  ; 
the  gfnera)  diffusion  of  the  spirit  of  grace  and  suppli- 
cation for  the  lulfilment  of  all  those  wonders  which 
prophecy  declares  shall  at  some  future  era  be  dis- 
played, when  ''  they  shall  fear  the  name  of  the  Lord 
iioiiithe  west,  and  his  glory  from  the  rising  of  the  suti." 
The  monthly  meeting  devoted  expressly  to  prayers 
for  the  unction  ironi  the  Holy  One  to  descend  upon 
the  churcii  of  God  ;  upon  the  instructioiis  of  mission- 
aries and  pastors  ;  and  upon  the  illumination  convey- 
ed by  Bibles  and  Tracts ;  and  for  a  larger  experience 
and  manifestation  of  the  divine  faithiuiness  in  tiie  con- 
summation of  the  Redeemer's  promises  and  in  pro- 
pitious answers  to  the  ardent  petitions  with  which 
••  the  throne  of  grace"  is  incessantly  beseiged,  con- 
stitutes a  remarkable  and  an  infiillible  precursor,  of 
the  approaching  day  of  the  Lord  ;  for  it  is  like  the 
voice  of  him  of  old  crying  in  the  wilderness,  "  make 
straight  in  the  desart  a  highway  for  our  God;  every 
valley  shall  be  exalted,  and  every  mountain  and  hill 
shall  bemadelow^;  and  the  crooked  shall  be  made 
straight,  and  the  rough  places  plain  ;  and  Zuir  and 
Jerusalem  that  being  good  tidings  shall  lift  up  tlieir 
voices  with  strength  and  shall  not  be  afraid  ;  and 
shall  say  unto  the  cities  of  J  udah,  Behold  your  God  !" 
One  unexpected  effect  has  been  adduced  by  the 
progression  of  the  principles  upon  which  the  Puri- 
tans originally  separated  irom  the  ancient  and  mod- 
ern hierarchs.  Ail  the  attempts  to  investigate  many 
portions  of  our  globe,  either  through  commercial  cu- 
pidity, or  by  military  force  have  been  totally  unavail- 
ing ;  but  we  are  at  present  as  intimately  acquainted 
with  many  of  the  diversified  tribes  of  men  through  the 
missionary  researches,  as  if  we  had  personally  in- 
spected, their  unsocial  habits,  and  their  irreligious 
principles;  for  it  appears  that  God  has  prepared  a 
way  for  these  "  sons  of  peace"  where  others  in  vain 
have  attempted  to  explore;  thus  overthrowing  a  very 
specious  objection  which  sceptiscism  has  alleged  to 


422  ECCLESIASTICAL     HISTORY.  LECTURE     XX. 

the  scriptures,  that  they  contain  a  system  not  only  of 
error,  but  of  ignorance. 

Infidels  have  ever  affirmed,  as  an  oracular  truth, 
that  by  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel,  the  civil  con- 
dition of  the  human  family  would  not  be  meliorated  ; 
while  lukewarm  and  formal  professors  ol  Christianity, 
have  also  asserted,  that  the  sole  mode  to  evangelize 
mankind,  was  by  their  previous  civilization  and  as  no 
momentous  facts,  could  be  adduced  against  the  the- 
ory ;  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ  exulted  in  the 
assurance  that  the  Gospel  would  not  become  the 
faith  of  the  whole  world.  This  deception  is  forever 
entombed  ;  as  no  position  is  now  more  self  evident, 
than  that  which  affirms,  the  indispensable  necessity  of 
divine  revelation  to  deliver  men  from  ignorance  and 
brutal  degradation,  and  to  elevate  them  to  the  grade, 
sensibilities  and  character  of  rational  creatures. 

The  Puritans  originally  and  all  the  revered  mis- 
sionaries who  now  promulge  "  the  glorious  gospel  of 
the  ever  blessed  God,"  have  consequently  most  en- 
tirely demolished  by  a  practical  argument,  which  the 
Defenders  of  the  Faith  have  never  duly  illustrated 
and  enforced,  the  deistical  assault  upon  the  sacred 
scriptures,  that  it  is  a  system  of  superstitious  gloom 
generating  only  human  deterioration,  for  they  have 
developed,  that  the  anxiety  and  exertions  to  extend 
the  arts  and  sciences,  with  all  the  blessings  of  civili- 
zation, are  exactly  proportioned  to  unfeigtied  zeal  in 
the  service  of  the  Redeemer;  hence,  philanthropy 
prays,  that  our  modern  missionary  effijrts  may  be  am- 
plified to  an  indefinite  extent,  and  be  iinpellod  by  a 
strong  impetus.  In  reference  to  this  subject,  the 
spread  of  the  Gospel,  as  the  only  means  to  disseminate 
knowledge,  harmony,  comfort,  morality,  and  civil  and 
religious  Hberty  throughout  our  globe;  every  chris- 
tian will  unite  his  heart  and  voice  in  this  hallowed 
petition  to  the  Father  of  light,  and  Lord  of  peace 
and  truth  and  law. 

God  speed  the  Press,  in  this  most  holy  cause, 
Till  cvevy  Pagan's  son  shall  be  supplied  ; 


CENTURY    XIX.  423 

Obedience  learn  to  Jesus'  laws, 

And  from  his  word  of  grace  be  satisfied ! 

God  speed  the  holy  men  whose  every  power 

Is  exercised  in  this  divine  employ  ; 

And  grant  their  prospects,  brightening  every  hour, 

May  fill  their  hearts  with  enviable  joy  ! 

God  speed  the  cause  of  missions  through  the  world! 
Still  may  it  cheer  its  friends,  convince  its  foes ; 
Be  every  idol  from  its  altar  hurl'd ; 
May  every  desert  blossom  as  the  rose ! — Amen. 


THE  MILLENIUM. 


Faith  exults  in  the  expansive  prospects  of  Chris- 
tianity. So  oft(M),  and  so  accurately  have  divine  pre- 
dictions already  been  consummated  in  their  most 
minute  circumstance,  that  no  believer  hesitates  res- 
pecting the  unalterable  certainty  of  the  final  accom- 
plishment of  those  still  more  splendid  ev(Mily  which 
are  connected  with  the  universal  triumphsof  the  gos- 
gel,  that  in  futurity  shall  constitute  the  latter  day 
glory.  All  the  means  of  communicating  knowledge, 
that  the  Scriptures  contain,  are  to  represent  the 
prominent  characteristics  of  that  auspicious  period  in 
the  history  of  our  world.  Types,  parables,  commands, 
and  promises  united  their  force  to  depict  a  spiritual, 
sublime  and  felicitous  state  of  mankind,  even  on  this 
terrestrial  globe,  of  which  it  may  be  athrmed  in  A- 
postolic  language, "  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things 
which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 

Nothing  is  more  easy  than  for  the  ingenuity  of  cor- 
ruption to  ask  questions,  involving  ditlicnlties  of 
boundless  magnitude,  and  inextricably  perplexing. 
Sceptical  cavillers  frequently  inquire,  Why  was  sin 
admitted  into  Paradise  ?  Why  have  the  nations  of 
the  earth  been  immured  so  long  in  idolatrous  deprav- 
ity }  Why  has  one  portion  of  the  world  received 
the  gospel  in  preference  to  another  ?  Why  has  man- 
kind during  nearly  GOOO  years  remained  in  a  night 
of  gross  mental  and  moral  darkness;  and  why  siiall 
the  inhabitants  ol  the  seventh  millenial  revolution  of 
time  enjoy  a  day  of  unr(Miiittii]g  religious  illumination.^ 
Myriads  of  questions  like  these  may  be  propour>ded  ; 
and  one  reply  alone  can  be  given  by  a  creature  who 
is  a  compound  of  fallibility  and  ignorance;    but  that 


IHE  MILLENNIUM.  425 

answer  is  in  the  language  of  him  of  whom  it  is  writ- 
ten, "  never  man  spake  like  this  man" — "  even  so, 
Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  The 
mjsteriousness  of  Jehovah's  dispensations  should 
teach  us  awe  and  reverence ;  while  the  conviction 
that  the  declarations  of  God  are  truth,  should  inspire 
us  with  confidence  in  liim  who  has  graciously  assur- 
ed his  followers,  that  in  a  paradisaical  sense,  it 
shall  ere  long  be  proclaimed,  "  behold  the  taberna- 
cle of  God  is  with  men,  and  he  will  dwell  with  them, 
and  they  shall  be  his  people,  and  God  himself  shall 
be  with  them,  and  be  their  God." 

The  predictions  concernifig  the  church  which  ap- 
pear to  have  been  fulfilled,  have  been  examined  ; 
and  we  have  surveyed  the  present  condition  of  the 
Redeemer's  terrestrial  kingdom ;  our  contemplations, 
therefore,  are  confined  to  only  one  additional  inquiry, 
w  hat  are  the  future  prospects  of  the  believer  in  refer- 
ence to  the  glory  of  Immanuel  ? 

All  christians  admit,  that  in  the  sacred  books,  God 
lias  revealed  to  us,  through  prophecy,  an  accurate 
description  of  the  christian  church,  from  the  morning 
when  "  the  Holy  Ghost  was  first  sent  down,  from 
heaven"  until  the  last  "  trumpet  shall  sound  ;"  and 
it  is  equally  undeniable,  that  three  different  periods 
or  slates  of  the  church  are  distinctly  enumerated. 

Of  these  eras,  the  first  comprizing  Christianity  in 
its  progress,  until  Constantine  subverted  the  Heathen 
predominance,  has  elapsed,  and  its  history  we  have 
perused — the  second  extends  through  the  ages  of 
darkness,  corruption,  and  apostacy,  and  with  its  pro- 
perties vvc  are  experimental'y  a-^quainted,  for  it  exists 
— and  the  third  presents  a  ma;iiiHnent  display  of  pu- 
rity, intelligence,  and  prosperity,  described  in  figures, 
combining  all  natural,  paradisaical,  and  heavenly 
beauty,  spirituality  and  enjoyment ;  extensive  as  Ihe 
family  of  Adam,  and  perennial  during  the  revolution 
of  a  thousand  years.  But  this  last  is  future;  for 
the  predictions  of  Scripture  with  respect  to  the  over- 
throw of  all  the  Anti-christian  systems  as  they  are 
3  F 


426  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE   XXI. 

recorded  in  the  apocalypse,  from  chapter  14:  14,  to 
20:  3:  obviously  remain  unfultiled  ;  and  every  endea- 
vour to  apply  part  of  them  to  any  events  posterior  to 
the  Rcibrmation  has  been  decidedly  fuiile.  An  ex- 
posilion  of  tlie  following  topics  will  therefore  termi- 
nate our  discussion. 
The  commencement  and  (h'.rai ion  of  the  Millmnium — E- 

vents  anterior  to  the  Millennium- — The  characteristics  of 

the  Millsmwim. 

I.  When  will  the  Millennium  commence  ;  and  how  long 
will  it  continue  ? — in  the  Apocalypse,  20  :  1 — 6;  John 
replies  to  these  qn^siions;  but  our  io;norance  of  the 
precise  period,  when  Daniel  and  John's  prophetic 
periods  begin,  renders  all  attempts  to  attain  per- 
fect exactitude  luigatory.  That  Daniel's  2300  days, 
when  '•  the  sanctuary  shall  be  cleansed  ;"  and  his 
1290  days,  and  1335  days,  and  John's  42  months  and 
1260di\ys  ;  and  "  the  time,  times,  and  half  a  time'* 
ot  boih  the  Prophets  ref^r  to  the  same  periods  can- 
not be  doubted.  It  is  evident,  that  those  expositors 
are  incorrect,  who  lixed  tlic  comniericement  of  the 
1260  years  in  47 1),  when  the  Roman  empire  was  sub- 
verted; because  ^he  period  to  which  this  calculation 
conducts  us  has  elapsed  nearly  100  years,  and  An- 
ti-Christ stiil  retains  his  supremacy.  They  who  des- 
ignate the  year  606,  when  Boniface  received  the  ti- 
tle of  Universal  Bishop  and  Pope,  seem  to  err  in  also 
antedating  the  epocha  :  if  any  year  can  be  presumed 
to  mark  llie  course  of  the  Mohammedan  delusion,  it 
must  be  llie  Hegira,  but  that  is  sixteen  years  later 
th;in  the  above  era ;  and  it  must  also  be  rememher- 
evi.  that,  the  witnesses'  pro])hesying  in  sackcloth,  did 
not  comjicnce  in  the  eastern  empire,  until  after 
Mohannned's  success  over  the  Arabians  enabled  him 
to  extend  his  warlike  conquests  to  the  neighbouring 
countries  ;  and  certainly  the  witnesses  did  not  appear 
among  "'-  the  ten  horns  of  the  Beast"  until  40  years 
after  the  military  desolations  of  Apollyon's  scorpion- 
locusts.  Besides,  if  this  calculation  be  correct,  43 
years  only  remain  anterior  to  the  demolition  of  all 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  427 

that  is  opposed  to  the  cross  of  christ ;  which  renders 
the  conversion  of  nearly  20  railHons  of  people  annual- 
ly necessary — but  where  are  the  instruments,  either 
Bibles  or  Missionaries,  prepared  for  this  august  em- 
ployment? The  last  specified  date,  about  750  is 
founded  upon  the  fact,  that  then  the  Pope  was  con- 
stituted a  temporal  Potentate — but  it  must  be  recol- 
lected, that  the  "-  Man  of  Sin,  the  son  of  perdition," 
is  not  branded  with  infamy,  and  pronounced  accursed 
because  he  ruled  a  small  portion  of  Italy  in  vassalage, 
but  on  account  of  his  spiiitual  prerogatives,  and  his 
usurpations  in  the  temple  and  throne  of  God  ;  which 
indubitably  were  consolidated  about  the  year  666. 
The  grand  objection  to  those  periods  is  that  they  de- 
stroy the  distinction  which  Daniel  marks  in  the  39, 
and  the  45  years  after  the  1260  years  have  expired. 
It  has  been  a  tradition  coeval  almost  with  Christian- 
ity, that  at  the  end  of  2000  years,  the  Lord  Je- 
6:us  Christ  would  unfold  the  period  revealed  by  John 
in  the  passage  already  quoted;  and  if  we  reckon  the 
Hegira  in  the  eastern  empire,  and  in  the  papal  do- 
minions, the  number  666  as  the  commencement  of  the 
126*0  years  we  preserve  the  order  of  the  prophecy, 
and  exactly  evolve  the  distinctive  features  of  the  a- 
pocalyptical  visions.  In  chapter  16,  of  the  Revela- 
tions, five  angels  in  succession  effused  their  vials  up- 
on various  parts  of  the  Roman  empire,  denominated 
the  earth;  the  application  of  these  prophecies  in 
spite  of  all  modern  ijigenuity,  cannot  be  discovered. 
The  purport  of  the  sixth  seems  more  obvious;  as  the 
great  river  Euphrates  assuredly  implied  the  Turks 
in  chapter  9  :  14,  so  in  chapter  16:  12,  it  must  be 
similarly  expounded — but  if  this  be  correct  then  the 
demolition  of  the  Mohammedan  government  over  the 
eastern  part  of  the  empire  is  distitK-tly  proclaimed, 
and  even  the  manner  of  its  dissolution  pointedly  de- 
clared ;  that  the  pow<^r  of  the  serpent  horsemen 
shall  gradually  die  not  from  external  assault,  but 
merely  from  internal  convulsions,  until  it  shall  be 
withered  in  perfect  impotence.     Does  not  the  mod- 


428  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XXI. 

ern,  and  especially  the  present  prospective  condi- 
ti<.n  ol"  that  apostate  deBpotism  forcibly  corroborate 
this  interpretation  ?  This  would  transfer  us  to  a  pe- 
riod about  the  year  1832,  before  all  (he  obstructions 
to  the  progress  of  the  Gospel  and  the  return  of  the 
Jews  to  their  own  land  shall  be  effbcluallj  extirpa- 
ted. After  this  period  will  follow  the  commotions 
under  the  seventh  vial,  then  will  succeed  the  slaying 
ot  the  witnesses;  the  public  regular  profession  and 
preaching  of  the  true  Gospel  throughout  the  10  horns 
of  the  beast  will  totally  cease;  in  which  persecutions, 
all  those  modes  of  despoiling  them  of  life  will  be  a- 
dopted,  by  which  their  bodies  will  be  deprived  of 
interment;  and  so  complete  will  be  the  apparent  ex- 
termination of  the  good  seed,  and  of  those  who  had 
imbibed  it,  that  during  three  years  and  a  halt^  all  the 
governments  civil  and  ecclesiastical  will  rejoice  at  the 
victory  by  which  they  silenced  the  witnesses,  w  hose 
prophesying  "  tormented  them"  in  their  sins.  This 
event  will  happen  at  the  expiration  of  1260  years 
from  the  beginning  of  their  testimony  :  and  the  death 
of  the  two  olive-trees  indispensably  demands,  the 
general  suppression  of  the  Protestants  against  the 
Latin  church,  the  manifest,  undeniable,  and  triumph- 
ant congratulations  of  those  who  hate  genuine  Chris- 
tianity over  its  supposed  ruin,  and  the  almost  imme- 
diate and  sudden  resurrection  of  the  witnesses. 

Immediately  consequent  to  the  resuscitation  of  the 
witnesses,  at  the  same  hour,  will  be  the  great  earth- 
quake of  one  of  the  ten  horns;  for  the  "  seventh  vial 
shall  be  poured  out  into  the  air  and  the  voice  shall 
cry,  it  is  done  ;"  "  the  tenth  part  of  the  city  shall  fall, 
7^00  men  shall  be  slain,  and  the  remnant  shall  be  af- 
frighted and  give  glory  to  the  God  of  Heaven;"  it  is 
"  a  great  earthquake,  such  as  was  not  since  men  were 
upon  the  earth,  so  mighty  an  earthquake  and  sogreat." 

The  earliest  appearance  of  the  Waldenses  being 
about  the  year  666,  the  commencement  of  the  wit- 
nesses prophesying  must  be  referred  to  that  period  ; 
whence,  by  the  addition  of  the  r260years,we  calculate 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  429 

theirdeath  near  the  year  1926  :  after  which  threeyears 
and  a  half  will  elapse  for  their  apparent  extinction, 
and  the  earthquake  shall  separate  forever  one  of  the 
ten  horns  from  the  empire  of  the  beast. 

Almost  immecriately  after  this  event  ;  "  the  cities 
of  the  nations  fall ;"  the  former  Protestants  will  again 
secede  from  the  beast  and  leave  to  Rome  three  princi- 
pal sovereignties  into  which  the  great  city  shall  be  di- 
vided ;  and  a  storm  of  hail,  some  northern  irruption, 
siiall  so  torment  and  plague  men,  that  they  will  blas- 
pheme God  for  the  anguish  which  it  generates. 

The  earthquake  is  previous  to  the  sounding  of  the 
seventh  trumpet  ;  for  the  Apostle  having  seen  the  ef- 
fects oi  that  convulsion,  declares  that  "  the  second  wo 
is  past,  and  behold  the  third  wo  cometh  quickly  :" 
which  implies  that  a  short  period  only  will  intervene 
between  those  occurrences ;  and  that  the  various 
changes  that  will  succeed,  shall  transpire  with  over- 
whelming rapidity.  Willtheblast  of  thethreewo-trumpds 
he  eq  ii-distant  ?  The  fifth  trumpet  was  blown  about 
the  year  622;  the  sixth  about  650  years  after;  and 
the  same  intercedenlspace  of  time,  points  us  to  a  date, 
sufficient  to  admit  the  temporary  death  of  the  wit- 
nesses, the  earthquake  of  the  tenth  part  of  the  city, 
and  the  final  and  complete  organization  of  that  horn 
upon   evangelical  principles. 

The  seventh  angel  sounds;  and  great  voices  in 
heaven,  the  multitudes  of  revived  Protestants  shout 
the  gloriously  triumphant  song,  "  the  kingdoms  of 
this  world  are  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
of  his  Christ,  and  he  shall  reign  forever  and  ever."" 
Then  the  Apostle  was  called  to  behold  the  judgment 
upon  Babylon.  Those  of  the  ten  kingdoms  which 
separate  from  her  will  begin  to  "  eat  her  flesh  and 
burn  her  with  fire,"  will  totally  despoil  her  of  her  re- 
sources and  punish  her  with  famine  and  war. 

After  the  resurrection  of  the  witnesses,  the  gospel 
will  begin  to  spread  during  the  remainder  of  the  30 
years,  previous  to  the  final  battle,  with  unexampled 
celerity ;  a  multitude  of  the  Jews  will  feel  its  power; 


430  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LECTURE    XXJ. 

a  desire  to  return  to  the  land  of  their  ancestors  will 
animate  thern  ;  and  by  the  removal  of  the  Turkish 
government,  the  nay  will  apear  unobstructed.  In 
this  desigj),  all  the  witnesses  will  co-operate.  They 
who  are  impelled  by-*  the  frogs,  the  three  unclean  spi- 
rits" of  devils  and  of  the  Moliammedan  and  Papal  a- 
postacies,  ''  with  the  beast,  the  false  propliet,  and  the 
kijigs  of  the  earth,"  will  combine  against  the  Lord 
and  his  annointed,  oppose  the  saint's  progress,  and 
coalesce  to  "exterminate  those  whom  the  Anti-chris- 
tian  conspirators  denounce  as  Heretics.  This  mea- 
sure will  eventua'ly  introduce  the  concluding  and  de- 
cisive battle  ;  wiien  the  enemies  of  Christ  '-shall  be 
thrown  down  and  found  no  more  at  all;"  arid  it  will 
be  truly  a  war  for  religion,  between  the  servants  of 
their  Lord,  for  the  preservation  of  their  fliith  and 
hope,  and  the  agents  of  hell,  irrecoverably  to  destroy 
Christianity. 

The  scene  of  this  conflict  will  probnbly  be  in  Judea, 
where  the  christians  and  their  allied  Jewish  converts 
shall  be  met  by  the  Apostates  and  Pagans;  and 
when  the  former  shall  be  reduced  to  the  utmost  ex- 
tremity, the  ''Word  of  God,  whose  name  is  King  of 
Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords,"  shall  appear  in  a  person- 
al manifestation  ;  by  him  the  combat  shall  be  deter- 
mined, and  there  he  shall  "  make  the  supper  of  the 
great  God."  The  immediate  result  of  the  conquest 
will  be  the  settleinent  of  the  already  converted  Jews 
in  their  own  Canaan ;  the  excision  of  the  Latin  empire 
in  church  and  state;  ar»d  the  restoration  of  t!»e  out- 
casts of  Israel,  from  the  various  places  of  their  ban- 
lishment,  triumphing  in  the  doctrines  of  the  cross. 

This  infallible  demonstration  of  divine  truth,  in 
connection  with  the  extraonlinary  means  which  shall 
be  adopted  without  opposition  to  disseminate  the 
"  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God,"  and  which  shall 
be  accompanied  with  the  efiiision  of  the  spirit  ofgrace 
and  supplication  among  the  saints,  and  the  constant 
benediction  of  heaven,  in  the  space  of  the  i5  years 
ensuing,  shall  transform  the  moral  character  of  man- 


THE    MILLENNIUM.  431 

kind;  and  regenerate  the  human  family  from  the  least 
to  the  greatest.  "  Every  nation  shall  see  the  salva- 
tion of  our  God  ;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  re- 
vealed, and  all  flesh  shnll  see  it  together  ;  the  Son 
shall  have  the  heathen  for  his  inheritance;  the  whole 
earth  shall  be  filled  with  his  glory  ;"  the  millennial 
era  shall  commence  ;  and  the  innumerable  hosts  of 
the  redeem^ed  in  heaven  and  on  earth  shall  unanim- 
ously shout  in  the  most  fervid  praise,  "  Hallelujah, 
the  Lonl  God  Omnipotent  reigneth."     Amen. 

Of  this  glorious  state,  John  says  expressly,  that  it 
shall  conlittue  a  thousand  years  ;  and  there  is  no 
phusihle  argument  offered,  why  the  period  should 
be  prolonged  by  supposing  that  each  year  may  be 
calcidated  as  a  year  of  days,  so  as  to  make  the  num- 
ber 365,000.  Besides,  if  the  analogy  be  admitted, 
that  the  six  days  of  creation  typified  the  6000  years 
of  the  world  prior  to  the  latter-day  glory,  and  the 
succeeding  Sabbath  prefigured  the  millennial  rest ; 
then  the  coincidences  between  all  the  dispensations 
of  God  <o  the  human  family,  will  combine  for  those 
sons  of  iliumijation  and  peace,  who  shall  dwell  in 
that  universal  world  of  christians,  a  ceaseless  source 
of  ceriitude,  devotion,  and  triumph. 

//.  The  means  by  ivhich  the  Millennium  will  be  introduced. 
— From  the  uncertain  speculations  of"  times  and  sea- 
sons," we  transfer  our  attention  to  subjects  which  are 
more  obvious  and  sure.  "  The  grand  instrument  to 
change  the  moral  world  is  divine  truth.''''  To  this  the 
nations  were  originally  indebted  for  their  conversion 
from  pogan  idolatry  ;  by  it  the  Reformation  was  a- 
chieved,  and  the  Protestants  "emerged  from  the  dark 
antichristian  abyss;"  and  through  its  operation,  "  ac- 
companied with  the  powerful  energy  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit,  will  the  Millennium,  in  all  its  glories  be  usher- 
ed into  existence."  In  two  methods,  is  divine  truth 
communicated  to  the  soul  of  man,  by  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel  and  the  perusal  of  the  sacred  oracles; 
and  both  these  !neans  will  be  adopted  commensurate 
to  the  grandeur  and  extent  of  the  object.     Many  will 


432  ErCLESlASTJCAL    HISTORY.  BECTURE  XXI. 

arise,  like  Knox  and  Whitfield,  who  by  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  their  labours,  called  thousands  by  their 
preaching^'  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  pow- 
er of  Satan  unto  God" — and  when  the  scriptures  shall 
have  been  translated  into  all  languages  and  distrib- 
uted into  every  habitation,  what  wondrous  etfects 
may  not  be  anticipated  from  the  combined  efforts  of 
the  Pulpit  and  the  Press,  the  Bible  and  its  iMissiona- 
ry  expositor  ! — In  addition  to  these  mightier  exer- 
tions, the  sacred  oracles  authorize  the  anticipation, 
that  a  vast  increase  will  be  realized  from  the  efforts 
of  all  classes  of  christians  ;  parents  and  masters  of 
households  ;  instructors  of  youth  ;  and  the  govern- 
ments of  the  world.  1. 

These  means  will  doubtless  be  employed  by  "  the 
household  of'  faith"  to  introduce  that  august  day, 
when  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the  whole 
earth,  for  '•  many  will  run  to  and  fro,  and  knowledge 
be  increased;"  but  prophecy  also  distinctly  declares, 
that  the  immediate  power  of  God  will  be  exerted  to 
overthro'v  all  opposition  to  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  and 
to  develope  the  way  for  its  universal  reception.  A 
correct  understanding  ot  the  past  and  present  situa- 
tion of  the  nations  of  the  earth  induces  us  to  conclude, 
that  notliing  less  than  the  almost  preternatural  con- 
vulsions enumerated  in  the  highly  figurative  language 
of  prophecy,  could  prepare  the  nations  for  the  trans- 
formation which  will  be  exemplified  during  the  Mil- 
lennium. 

Almost  the  whole  earth  is  now  immersed  in  a  pro- 
found ignorance  of  evangelical  truth — even  of  the 
majority  of  nominal  christian  countries,  error  and  su- 
perstition in  principle,  and  vitiosity  in  practice,  are 
the  predominant  characteristics  : — and  ambitions  of- 
fensive wars,  with  the  vilest  general  oppressions  of 
the  people,  constitute  their  prominent  features — and 
in  every  nation  on  the  globe,  with  partial  exceptions, 
the  consciences  of  the  inhabitants  are  imprisoned 
by  their  despots'   faith,  and  all  freedom  of  divine 

I.  Appendix  XXIV. 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  433 

worship  and  religious  opinion  is  utterly  discarded 
and  rL'iusod.2.  To  exlermiiiate  this  moral  desolation 
— war  with  its  coucomilaiits,  ramine  and  pestilence, 
ill  iheir  ordinary  devastations,  aggrandized  probably 
by  the  removal  of  the  restraints,  which  Jeliovah  has 
so  ol'len  imposed  upon  the  terocily  and  ambition  of 
the  sanguinary  pretended  legitimates  who  rdie  the 
nations,  may  elfect  tlie  successive  overthrow  of  the 
tyrants;  and  immure  those  exalted  enemies  of  God 
and  man  in  the  same  indiscriminate  ruin.  Hence,  the 
vicious  will  disp.ppear  ;  good  men  will  be  exalted  to 
dignity  and  power,  soci-.d  instiiuiions  will  be  meliora- 
ted, and  the  rights  oi  conscience,  with  the  inalienable 
privileges  ofcivil  freedom  will  be  universally  diOijsed. 

Many  other  grand  events  must  precede  the  final 
establishment  of  the  Millennium.  The  Protestant 
churches  will  display  more  purity,  energy,  and  zeal — 
for  all  inditference  to  truth,  erroneous  sentiments, 
carnal  insensibility,  worldly  attachments,  incorpora- 
tion with  the  civil  governments,  and  religious  restric- 
tions must  be  totally  banished  ;  while  the  indefinite 
eihision  of  the  intluences  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  will  ex- 
cite numberless  labourers  and  general  co-operation 
to  disseminate  the  knowledge  of  "  Christ  and  Him 
cruciiied."  Hence,  will  necessarily  follow,  the  des- 
truction of  the  Koran,  the  annihilation  of  infidelity, 
the  ex.lermination  of  Anti-Christ,  the  submission  of  the 
Jews  to  the  Messiah,  and  the  conversion  of  the  Hea- 
then nations  to  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  Gospel. 
How  vast  the  importauce,  and  how  immense  the  ex- 
tent of  that  work,  w  hich  is  yet  to  be  performed,  ante- 
rior to  that  morning,  when  -^  all  the  ends  of  the  earth 
shall  see  the  salvation  of  God  !" 

III.  The  characteristics  of  the  Millennium. — The  fig- 
ures used  in  Scriptures  to  depict  the  blessedness  of 
the  period  under  consideration,  so  energetically  un- 
fold a  state  of  comlbrt  and  enjoyment  hitherto  un- 
known on  earth,  since  the  prime\  al  curse  was  denoun- 
ced ;  that  it  is  dillicult  to  lorm  any  idea  of  the  beau- 

2.  AppeiiJix  XXV. 

3G 


431  ECCIlE.sMAStlCAL  HIStORV.  tt.CTVnt    Xl\ 

teous  scene,  except  probably  as  it  may  bave  been' 
partially  prefigured  in  Palestine  during  the  earlier 
years  of  the  reiojn  of  Solomon. 

NolvviihHlanding  all  the  difif'rence  of  opinion  res- 
pecting the  nature  and  extent  of  the  Millennial  pros- 
perity, the  predictions  of  divine  truth  certainly  au- 
thoriz'^  the  b'^lief,  that  an  iiieiftbly  superior  degree  of 
providentivdand  i^piritual  mercies  and  deliglils.  tothaC 
which  is  at  present  known,  will  then  be  realized. 

Providential  acijucsido/is.^— 'These  w  ill  comj)rise  an 
incalculable  eidargefiient  of  the  number  ol'tlie  hunian 
family — and  a  boundless  distribution  ot  all  the  richer 
benefactions  p!>cidiar  to  this  mortal  state.  The  lar- 
ger portion  of  oui- habitable  world  is  probably  an  uri- 
cnhivated  d'-sart,  and  even  of  that  which  is  most  nu- 
merously pf*oj)li  (1.  its  capacities  to  furnish  food  are 
but  imp«^i  f'H^tly  known.  On  this  topic  it  is  utterly  im- 
possible to  construct  any  ptausibb^  arithmetical  t;ib!e 
— oie  iact  in  the  Jewish  history  overwhelms  all  our 
imaginations.  After  the  division  of  the  twelve  tribes 
into'tvvo  kingdoms,  .ludah  and  Bei  j  imin  which  com- 
prised a  space  prob  biy  of  not  uiore  than  1500  square 
miles,  mustered  during  the  reign  of  Jehoshaphnt,  one 
million  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  men  "ready 
prepared  for  war.  b^^side  tliose  whom  the  king  put  in 
the  fenced  cities  throughout  all  Judab."  The  lar-- 
gest  capacity  atid  powers  of  computation  are  lost  in 
the  immerjsity  which  results  from  adapting  this  nu- 
merical illustration  to  the  landed  surface  of  the  gh-be; 
especially  when  it  is  renieniBered  that  this  mighty 
force  Was  continually  stationed  in  Jerusalem.  mer<dy 
as  supernumeraries  to  all  tlie  garrisons  with  which 
the  !>ordors  of  the  land  were  regularly  guarded.  It 
is  admitted,  that  the  provihiony  adequate  to  their 
support  were  the  cor»sequenceof  a  fertility  especial- 
ly bestowed  by  God.  but  this  iw  also  a  peculiar  portion 
^jp,^':7e  divine  promise  attached  to  the  ufiiversal  spiri- 
tii^i'v.^''-^''  of  Jesus  over  the  world  ""in  the  last  days." 
I<4tn  ,b"beld  them  who  enjoyed  the  final  triumph 
or'.i'^iHMifli'''^'^'  "^'*^'*  ^^'  ^^'^  enemies  of  Jesus  and  his 
chuVcl  '^^"^  ^eclares,  that  they  were  ''  a  great  multi- 


C'Hf:    MILLENNIUM.  435 

dvidie,  Avhlch  no  mnn  could  number" — and  stili  more 
impressively  to  describe  thorn,  ho  adds,  that  when 
they  sung  the  sublime  and  extn lie  chorus,  '•Aileluia, 
for  the  Lord  God  Omnipotent  reij^neiSi,"  it  was  -'as 
4he  roice  of  many  waters,  and  as  t!ie  voice  ot  mighty 
;thunderings."  May  it  not  thf  retbre  be  believed,  that 
when  the  fina4  judgment  shall  have  irrevocably  de- 
termined tlie  destinies  of  all  mankind,  that  the  pro- 
j3ortion  of  the  lost  to  the  redeemed,  will  be  similar  to 
ihat  which  exists  between  the  good  members  of  so- 
=ciety  and  criminals,  or  those  who  enjoy  the  exercise 
oi  reason  and  lunatics  ? 

Many  characters  given  of  the  Millennium  in  pro- 
phecy, devejope  the  sources  whence  tliis extraordina- 
ry population  sh  ill  be  supplied,  and  by  which  they 
shall  be  consoled.  "  Then  sliall  the  earth  yield  her 
iiicrease."  This  seems  to  declare  that  sterility  of  S'/il, 
blasting  seasons^  and  unpropitious  climates  shall  be 
iinknown  ;  so  tliat  unexampled  fertility  and  pleasant- 
ness will  be  experienced.  "  There  shall  be  a  hand- 
ful of  corn  in  the  earth  upon  the  Lop  of  the  mountains ; 
the  fruit  thereof  shall  shake  like  Lebnnon;  and  they 
/of  the  city  sha  1  tionrish  like  gra^s  of  the  earth — the 
mountains  shall  drop  down  new  wine.,  and  the  hills 
shall  l!ow  witli  milk — thf^  wilderrjess  and  the  solitary 
place  shall  be  glad,  and  the  desarl  shall  rejoice  and 
blossom  as  the  rose;  it  shall  blossom  ^bundintly,  and 
rejoice  even  with  joy  an<l  singing."  No  Imguige  can 
possibly  be  inore  descriptive  eithf^r  of  (he  exuberatice 
and  universality  of  all  the  comibrts  necessary  tor  mor- 
tal existence  ;  or  of  the  im:nense  multitudes  who 
shall  participate  in  these  divine  benedictions  ;  for 
who  can  me:;suie  tlie  crop  of  tlie  vallif^s  if  Ihe  rock  of 
the  mountain  is  fit  and  verd..:  I  ^viih  grain  as  prover- 
bial Lf^b:^,non — who  can  enunpr;Ue  th^  crowds  of 
christian  imraorlals  when  i'v^  i:;rass  of  the  eirlh  is 
theirinspired  similitude — wlic.  can  delineate  ihebe  it- 
itudes  of  that  world  where  tlje  preseiif  sterile  desart 
shall  ht^  as  a  garden  of  I'os^'s,  i  ul  the  no'-v  n  .'  -h  ibi- 
led  wilderness  dhall  abundantly  resound  willi  the  tri-. 


436  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOUY.  LECllPEXXL 

umphs  antl  liallelujahs  of  redomptioM  ?  Knowlrdi^o, 
priiclence,  cltligciicc,  aiul  economy,  will  ihcii  prf'si(!<' ; 
and  ofco'irse,  estravaganc<',  waste,  arsd  all  i"i  ivuluus 
desiros  ior  the  supply  ol'liiiltious  wants  will  be  exter- 
minated. CoveloMsness  will  be  exehan^rod  Ibr  eon* 
teiitment;  vain  and  vicious  pleasures  will  be  swal- 
lowed up  m  cluistian  deii.ulit  ;  pride  will  be  led  cap- 
tive by  huinilily  ;  ambition  and  pomp  will  be  ridicu- 
led iiaiong  them  whose  only  strife  will  be  who  shall 
be  chiolservunt ;  activity  will  be  substiiuted  tor  indo- 
lence ;  the  d!S|)osition  to  amass  wealth  II. at  our  pos- 
terity may  live  in  useless,  idle  luxury  will  be  extin- 
guished by  the  love  of  God  and  trust  in  his  pi-omises, 
so  that  the  experience  of  the  ancient  Israelites  will 
be  rcLiewed,  ••  lie  that  gathered  mueh  had  liothin^; 
over;  and  he  that  gathered  litlle  bad  no  lack*' — to 
which  may  be  added,  tliat  by  the  extirpation  of  all 
these  evil  principles  from  the  human  heart,  by  tfie 
melioration  of  all  the  civil  institulions  among  men,  so 
as  to  render  them  f  u-  superior  to  the  Jews  m  the  most 
splendid  days  of  their  national  history,  in  intelligence, 
virtue,  and  piety;  by  the  unlimited  expansion  of  an 
undyiiig  philanthropy  engendered,  fostered  and  ani- 
ms'tr'd  by  the  Gospel  ;  and  by  the  ceaseless  benedic- 
tienofGod  upon  all  '■•  the  workol  their  hands" — eve- 
ry country  will  become  a  part  of  the  promi'^ed  land  ; 
Avhence  war,  pestilence,  and  famiiie,  sfiall  be  totally 
excluded — forin  the  davs  of  Jesus,  ••sh^^!i  the  right- 
eous ilourish,  and  abundance  of  peace  as  long  as  the 
moon  endureth."  It  is  also  predicted  as  the  crown 
of  their  joys,  that  to  render  tjie  hallowed  delights  of 
that  magiiificent  period  unirjtermitting  and  unalloyed, 
three  special  personal  privileges  shall  be  superadded, 
as  the  ordinary  allotnicnt  of  every  individual.  They 
shall  be  divested  of  all  those  anxious  (;ares  for  the 
conveniences  of  life,  which  now  corrode  the  minds 
and  hearts  of  almost  all  the  members  of  the  human 
family,  lor  "  they  shall  sit  every  man  under  his  own 
vine,  and  every  man  under  his  own  fig  tret;" — uninter- 
rupted health   shall  be  enjoyed  by   all,  ibr  "   there 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  437 

shall  be  no  more  pain,  there  shall  be  no  more  ciirse; 
and -the  inhabitants  ol' the  land,  shall  not  say,  I  am 
sick,  because  his  iniquity  is  forgiven'" — and  a  \  igor- 
ous,  healthiul,  tranquil,  aiid  diginfied  old  age  will  be 
the  common,  ii  j.ot  the  universal  inheritance  of  the 
wliole  family  of  man  :  "  there  shall  no  more  be  an  in- 
i'iinl  of  days,  nor  an  old  man  that  hath  not  filled  his 
days  ;  but  the  child  shall  die  an  hundred  years  old."  3. 
tipiritualenjoij'nienls. — The  sacred  cracies  beautiful- 
ly delineate  the  Millennium  in  several  distinct  partic- 
ulars. As  the  foundation  and  cement  of  all  the  rest, 
it  proclaims  universal  and  undisturbed  "  peace  on 
earth,  and  good  will  to  men" — for  "  they  shall  beat 
tlieir  swords  into  ploughshares,  and  their  spears  into 
pruning  hooks;  nation  shall  riOt  lift  up  a  sword  against 
nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more:"  with 
this  shall  be  combined  an  inconceivably  superior  de- 
gree of  illumination — "  for  they  shall  tiot  teach  eve- 
ry man  his  neighbour,  and  ^^\cry  man  his  brother, 
saying,  know  ye  the  Lord,  for  all  shall  know  him  from 
the  least  to  the  greatest." 

As  a  certain  adjunct  to  these  blessings,  the  inhab- 
itants ot  the  world  during  those  centuries  w  ill  be  pre- 
eminently sanctified — for  "  thy  people  shall  all  be 
risihteous  :"  their  unalloyed  perennial  felicity  is  a  ne- 
cessary consequence — for  thus  sailh  the  Lord,  '--  be- 
hold, I  create  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  and  the 
former  shall  not  be  remembered  nor  come  into  mind. 
But  be  ye  glad  aiul  rejoice  forever  in  that  which  \ 
create,  for  behold,  I  create  Jerusnlcm  a  rejoicing  and 
her  people  a  joy.  Aiid  I  w  ill  rejoice  in  Jerusalem  and 
joy  in  my  people  :  and  the  voice  of  weeping  shall  be 
no  more  heard  in  Ijer,  and  the  voice  of  crying,  and 
they  shall  not  hwrt  nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  moun- 
tain, saith  the  Lord." 

The  anr^als  of  nations  and  regal  potentates  are 
merely  a  catalogue  of  wars;  from  the  first  assembly 
of  kings  upon  record,  Chedorlaomer  and  the  three  o- 
ther  royal  robbers,  through  every  combination  of  the 

3.  Appendix  XXVI. 


,43^  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.  LECTURE  XX i. 

same  fraternity,  to  the  existing  '■''  HofyJllliance,'" — ^^the 
ile^pots  of  the  worhj  have  exhibited  the  same  chirracr 
tcristics  ;  their  murcilers  and  devastations  are  the  es- 
sence oi  ancient  and  modern  universal  iii^tory.  But 
.when  the  last  contest  in  Armageddon  shall  have  ter- 
minated in  the  capture  of  the  Beast  and  the  fidse 
prophet,  and  in  the  shouts  of  victory  by  tlie  followrrs 
,of  the  King  of  Kings  and  J^^ord  of  Lords;  thennholy 
machinations  which  have  so  long  transformed  the 
world  into  a  general  slaughter-house  will  be  destroy- 
ed;  the  pacific  spirit  of  the  religion  of  Jesijs  will  ex- 
ercise illimitable  sway,  and  all  people  regulating 
their  intercourse  by  its  prescriptions,  th'^  roari'i^-  of 
cannon,  and  the  clashing  of  swords  will  not  ordy  be 
.odious,  but  forgotten. 

A  very  considerable  proportion  of  the  sangninnry 
tempers  and  military  spirit  which  predomitjate  amoi;g 
mankind,  especially  of  that  mysterious  indiffprence  to 
eternity,  which  induces  a  man  yolnntnrily  and  i'sces- 
santly  to  expose  liis  mortal  existence  to  an  immediate 
and  unexpected  termination,  in  a  contest  with  prr- 
sons  whom  he  has  never  seen,  is  the  result  of  that 
ignorance  in  which  the  various  usurpers  wim  hnve 
attained  uidimited  authority  over  the  p<>onle  van- 
quished by  their  myrmidons  Inve  uniforady  immur-Ml 
them.  This  gloom  wiiicij  has  so  long  oversluiM cd 
the  nations,  after  the  irradiations  of  the  Holy  C!)ost 
sliall  have  been  gener;.l!y  dispersed,  will  vanish  :  and 
it  jnay  easily  be  admitted,  even  from  a  survey  oltfie 
modern  improvements  in  all  the  meehinieal  ;H>d  trv^i- 
uficturing  arts,  in  chemi-^try  and  «n*^dici?ie,  and  'U:>]f 
continual  progression  in  atjrJiierjtingtheconvenitMK'es 
of  life,  and  the  supplies  of  terrestrial  comfort.  '  ;t 
these  sciences  and  Inim m  attainments  in  thenj  ^\\}l  bs 
indefinitely  exleruled  ;  t!iis  furnishes  an  irresisti- 
ble additional  argunent  for  the  prodiirir/iis  an^nent- 
ation  of  the  numbers  of  tl.'e  h'jm  a)  fnnily. 

But  the  information  to  which  the  predictions  of 
scripture  chiefly  advert,  is  \h?\  \v\vch  rn-  kc-s  us  wise 
U!ito  salvation,  the  excelleiicy  of  ihe  kwo.v ledge  of 
Jesutt  Christ  our  Lord. 


THE   BI1LLENT<1UM.  43^ 

"  The  hiowledge  of  the  glorious  Jehovah  :  his  Char-" 
^cter  and  his  iiiliiiite  pertections  displayed  in  his  re- 
iiitioiis,  and  in  his  vvorks,  and  in  his  word,  present 
him  in  the  most  vivid  colours  beibre  our  eyes,  and 
Inake  us  acquainted  vvilh  the  greatest  and  best  of 
beings — oi-  nian,  his  original  rectitude,  his  apostacy 
from  God,  and  his  mournlul  condition  under  a  load  of 
depravhty,  guilt,  and  wretchedness — of  Jesus  Christ 
the  Saviour  of  sinners,  his  incarnation,  obedience, 
and  death,  and  his  exaltation  to  glory,  where  he  sits 
at  llje  Falliers  right  liand,  as  Mead  over  all  things  to 
his  churcii,  clotlied  with  Ahr.ighty  power,  and  bound- 
less comp  lesion — the  method  ol  reconciliation  with 
God,  througti  faith  in  the  righteousness  of  t!4e  Re- 
deemer, accoiiipanied  with  the  renewing  of  the  Holy 
Gljost — o-l  liie  various  duties  and  exercises  of  the 
Ciiiisiiaii  life, — ol  tiiathighA'ay  of  holiness,  in  which 
the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  do  walk :  of  the  world  to 
come,  ol  tlie  resurrection  of  the  dead,  and  of  eternal 
judg.iieuL;  ol  the  blessedness  of  the  righteous  in  hea- 
ven, and  of  the  misery  of  the  wicked  in  hell  : — These 
are  the  ouiliries  of  that  system  witii  which  the  world' 
stiall  bo  euhghtened  itr  the  latter  days  " 

ij\  this  knowledge,  prophecy  declares,  that  it  will 
be  inellably  more  abundant  tiian  has  hitherto  been 
known,  that  ils  effects  will  be  transcend&ntly  effica- 
cious and  excellent,  and  that  its  extent  will  be  most 
minutely  universal,  so  that  as  the  uaters  fill  the  ocean, 
no  habitable  spot  on  the  globe  will  be  excluded  from 
ks  radiance  and  operations: 

•••  through  every  Protestant  land,  this  divine  light 
will  be  most  abundantly  stied  abroad.  From  coun- 
tries now  sunk  in  Romish  ignorance  and  superstition, 
will  these  dreadful  evils  be  banished  ;  and  the  same 
exalted  degrees  of  divine  knowledge  generally  pre- 
vail, in  Mohammedan  kingdoms,  the  Koran,  which  for 
more  than  a  thousand  years  lias  deluded,  and  is  still 
deluding  hundreds  of  millions  of  the  human  kind,  will 
give  place  to  the  writings  of  the  prophets  and  apc.s- 
tle*.     Their  mosques  will  be  converted  into  temples 


440  ECCLFSIASTICAL    HISTORY.  BECTURE  XXI. 

for  christian  worship,  and  thelmans  be  compelled  to 
retire,  and  leave  their  place  to  preachers  of  the  Gos- 
pel ;  or  themselves  become  such  preachers,  aiu!  e\  e- 
ry  where  uitFuse  tlic  pure  light  ol  evai'gelical  truth  : 
— and  so  great  will  be  their  success,  that  an  equal 
measure  ot  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  till  iUpf^e 
regions,  as  is  to  be  found  iti  those  which  have  for  a- 
gcs  made  a  profession  oi  the  christian  name.  On 
Pagan  lands  also  will  the  Sunof  llighteousness  arise, 
witli  healing  in  his  wings.  Though  now  Ihev  are  mad 
alter  their  idols,  with  a  love  which  is  strong  as  death, 
and  a  jealousy  which  is  cruel  as  the  grave;  yet  the 
beams  of  divine  glory  darting  into  their  minds  Irom 
the  faces  of  tiiose  messengers  of  God,  who  bring  to 
them  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  will  produce  such  a 
change  in  their  spiritual  state,  as  is  made  in  the  nntu- 
ral  world,  when  the  gloomiest  and  most  stormy  night 
is  succeeded  by  the  light  of  the  morning,  when  the 
sun  arisetli,  a  morning  without  clouds,  and  stiil  more 
beautified  by  tiie  grass  springing  out  of  the  earl'n.  by 
clear  shining  after  rain.  All  those  dark  places  of  the 
earth,  even  to  its  remotest  boundary,  winch  are  now 
the  habitation  of  ignorance  as  well  a^  cruelty,  shall 
be  adorned  with  tho  brightest  rays  of  divine  know- 
ledge :  '•  for  their  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  hath  arisen  upon  them."  So  wonderful  shall  be 
the  change,  that  if  the  question  should  be  asked, 
*•  Whether  is  there  a  greater  measure  of  divine  know- 
ledge among  the  inhabitants  of  Hindostan  and  Tarta- 
ry  and  China,  or  in  Great  Britain  and  Holland  and  the 
United  States  of  America  .^"  it  will  be  dismissed  as  a 
doubt  which  it  is  impossible  to  resolve  ;  or  if  any  one 
venture  to  hazard  an  answer,  it  will  be  '•  that  tlj-^y 
are  in  all  respects  on  a  level  ;  for  every  part  of  the 
earth  is  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the 
waters  cover  the  sea." 

The  prevalence  of  universal  peace,  and  the  gener- 
al dissemination  of  saving  knowledge  will  produce  a 
degree  of  sanctity  which  the  world  had  never  before 


THE    MILLENMUIU-.  44-1 

seen  exemplifietl.  "  Holiness  is  a  conformity  to  the 
moral  perfections  of  Jehovah — an  imitation  of  his 
sanctity,  rectitude,  and  benevolence  ;  consisting  in 
o!>i"Hence  to  the  divine  commands,  and  involviiig 
ev^^iV  duty  we  owe  to  God,  our  neighbours,  and  our- 
selves. Its  excellence  appears  in  love,  worship,  sub- 
jection, resignation  ;  in  affection  for  others,  and 
all  I'le  peaceful  fruits  of  active  benevoletice  for  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  welfare  of  the  whole  family  of 
man  ;  in  self  denial,  purity,  humility,  contentment,  and 
zeal  lor  tiie  divine  glory, — all  constituting  that  char- 
acter which  we  should  possess  as  ratimial  and  im- 
mortal b?ings. 

The  Gospel,  by  reveialing  new  relations,  has  en- 
larged the  sphere  of  our  existence,  and  tiie  circle  of 
©ur  obligations.  Hence,  an  unspeakably  important 
but  pleasing  addition  is  made  to  the  holiness  of  chris- 
tians,— comprising  faith,  love,  obedience,  and  devo- 
tedness  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  our  Saviour  ;  a?)d 
©f  reverence,  dependetice,  gratitude,  and  profound 
submission  of  heart  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  as  our  s.ii-j- 
tifier,  comforter,  and  guide."  Prophecy  affims  ih;^t 
this  elevation  of  ch'dracterand  purity  of  conduct,  sliall 
pervade  "  every  class  of  the  community,  extend  over 
the  face  of  the  whole  earth"  and  when  it  is  said,'^  thy 
people  shall  be  all  righteous,"  does  it  not  circu;n- 
scribe  within  its  domains  every  individual  ofthe  in- 
habitants who  shall  successively  walk  the  christian 
pilgrimage  during  the  Millennium  ? 

If  we  remember  the  providential  and  spiritual  bh^F> 
ings  which  have  thus  been  enumerated,  we  can 
easily  conceive  ofthe  vast  accession  of  enjoyments 
which  shall  be  experienced  by  men,  in  all  the  diver* 
sified  conditions  of  their  terrestrial  existence.  How 
much  more  delightful  will  be  the  domestic  reh^tior  , 
the  intercourse  of  friendship,  the  harmony  ofneiglt* 
bourhoods,  and  the  usefulness  of  social  connectioi  s; 
when  all  envy,  malice,  disputation,  anxious  cares,  ad 
selfishness  shall  be  excluded,  and  evangelical  phi!;sn- 
thropy  shall  reign  without  obstruction.  The  labours 
3  H 


PI* 


412  ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTOHY.  LECTURE  XX*. 

cflifo  will  then  b'^  liiliillcd,  like  the  duties  of  devotion 
without  lassilule  or  fatigue;  and  couscquerilly  will 
co.itribute  to  the  pleasurable  emotions  of  those  w!io 
are  employed  in  tiiem.  if  as  is  usually  supposed, 
with  the  general  reriovatiori  of  man  and  his  restora- 
tion to  the  image  of  God,  while  Satan  is  chained  in  the 
bottomless  pit,  during  a  thousand  years,  the  curse 
denounced  upon  the  earth  as  the  punishment  of  sin 
shall  be  removed,  then  will  our  whole  world  become 
a  terrestrial  Paradise,  and  the  garden  oi  Eden  be  ex- 
hibited in  all  its  primeval  beauty  and  magnificence; 
so  that  nature  and  art  will  conspire  to  augment  the 
pure  delights  of  the  citizens.  WJien  to  these  are  sub- 
joined the  vast  expansion  of  the  mind,  and  the  uncloy- 
ino-  and  hallowed  enjoyments  resulting  from  an  ever 
abiding  devotional  spirit,  and  the  seraphic  exercises 
of  religion,  we  caii  without  difficulty,  although  feebly 
comprehend  the  felicity,  which  shall  be  commensu- 
rate with  the  Saviour's  kingdom,  in  whom  all  men 
shall  be  blessed,  and  who  shall  '•'  have  dominion  from 
sea  to  sea,  and  from  the  river  to  the  ends  of  the  earth." 
In  thus  surveying  the  perfection  of  the  church  of 
Christ,  how  illustrious  does  Jehovah  appear  in  his 
management  of  the  world  !  That  exalted  being  ulio 
created  the  world  by  his  power,  rules  it  by  his  pro- 
vidence. Infiiiitc  wisdom  a;id  rectitude  regulate 
the  universe:  and  the  great  Governor  is  constantly 
c^urying  on  a  plan,  which  will  finally  issue  in  the  glo- 
ry olGod,  and  in  the  happiness  of  all  his  loyal  sub 
jeets.  The  long,  the  constant,  and  to  all  appearance, 
the  successful  opposition  which  this  government  has 
met  with  iVom idolatry,  error,  wickedness  and  c;u"I 
ty.  has  sometimes  shaken  the  faith  of  multitudes 
with  r<'spect  to  its  very  existence.  The  groans  of 
innocence,  the  torture^!  of  the  righteous,  and  the 
si nughter  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  have  tempted 
even  good  men  to  call  the  proud  happy,  and  to  cry 
out.  ",  I  have  cleansed  my  heart  in  vain."  The  tri- 
umphant efforts  of  lawless  ambition,  the  extensive 
conqueats  of  knavery  and  power,  and  the  domina- 


I 


THE  MlLLtlNNU'M.  443 

iion  of  t^ie  wicked  over  prostrnie  iiatiojis — havQ 
provoked  lens  of  thoiisruids  to  exclaiin,  '••Is  theie 
verily  a  God  that  JLidgeth  in  t'ie  cwvih  ?'' 

Bill;  the  [jord  reigneth  ;  and  iihlioiigh  the  workers 
of  iniquity  do  not  perccisc  Jehuv.dTs  presence  noi* 
the  operation  of  his  hands,  the  spi-ilu  dly  Avise  ob- 
serve these  things,  aiid  the  prndeiit  know  that  tlie 
w  iys  of  the  Lord  are  right.  His  interposition  in  hu- 
man aifiirs,  the  displays  of  his  mercy  aiid  love  in  the 
deliverance  of  his  people,  and  tlie  exertions  of  his 
power  and  justice  in  tiie  [jUiii-^hir.Gnt  of  the  wicked 
have  been  manifest  to  theiii  irom  age  to  age  ; — 
thus  the  proofs  of  the  rigiueous  governmetit  ot  God 
have  been  mrdtip'ied  from  generation  to  generation. 
Noah's  preservation  in  the  ark;  the  call  of  Abraham 
from  Ur  of  the  Chaldees  ;  the  deliverance  of"  Israel 
from  Egyptian  bondage,  and  their  settlement  in  Ca- 
naan ;  their  return  fi-om  Biibylonish  captivity;  the 
birtli  of  Christ  at  BoLiriehem;  the  judgments  of  heav- 
en on  the  Jews  for  rejecting  the  Messiah;  the  main- 
taining of  the  Christian  church  in  existence  notwith- 
statiding  the  opposition  of  Pag-^'-^^  ^^^^  ^'^c  persecu- 
tion of  Antichrist ;  and  the  freedom  from  its  esieniies 
which  it  has  now  in  part  obtained — furnish  the  ihllest 
demonstration  of  the  reality  and  excellence  oft  he  ju- 
risdiction of  God,  But  while  the  children  of  wisdom 
clearly  perceive  Jehovah's  hand — what  multitudes 
are  biiiided  and  see  it  not !  Yet  from  those  late  dis- 
pensations of  Providence  wliieh  liave  shaken  terribly 
the  earth,  million-;  of  m.iiikind  arc  constrained  to 
acknowledge  that  ••  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reigti- 
eth." 

But  wdien  the  Millennium  shall  have  errived,  all 
the  difficulties  ai'd  objections  of  men  with  respect  to 
the  goverMment  ni'  Jehovali.  will  vrmish  ns  [lie  sliades 
of  night  before  t'le  rising  sun.  As  soon  a-^  tlif'  sever  fh 
Angel  sounds  hi-  trumpet,  the  mystery  of  (Jod  -i.:.!!  he 
fi.i'shed  ;  the  d' . '  ;  -  governmoi'r  ^vili  shine  iorui  in 
all    its  lustre  !    .  sseiiil'l''»;    ir.tiltitiides    i-i    r\-ery 

land  will  render,  in  their  wof.^iijn  the  homp.ue  duo  (f 


:^M^- 


441  F.rCLESlAS  riCAL    IIISTOP.Y.  LECTURE     XXF. 

hin  oxalted  name.  From  tlie  rising  of  the  sun  to  his 
goiiiir  down,  the  Lord  will  bekiiigover  all  the  earth. 
B^  tlip  love  aiitl  tlutiiiiliicss  of  his  subjects,  and  the 
com-jiuhicatiotis  ol' extraordinary  measures  of"ha])i)i- 
ness  to  all  who  are  under  his  dominion;  the  ex---  1- 
lence  of  the  ruler  and  his  government  will  be  dis- 
played. 

'I'here  shall  be  no  more  curse  ;  then  shall  the  earlh 
yield  her  increase  ;  abundance  shall  every  where 
reign;  and  contentmei  t.  peace  and  joy,  till  the  hearts 
o(  I'le  peojde  in  every  nation.  Then  will  this  hymn 
of"praise  be  sung  in  the  loudest  strains:  '•  tlie  i^ord 
reigneth.  let  the  earth  rejoice,  let  the  multitude  of 
,  the  isles  be  glad  thereof." 

How  sublime  are  the  views,  which  this  consum- 
mation of  tiie  glorious  (fleets  of  gospel  grace  imparts, 
of  the  redemption  of  siiuiers  by  .Jesus  Christ!  Tiiis 
is  the  greatest  work  of  God;  that  which  he  most 
highly  vdues,  and  to  which  all  others  are  subor- 
dinate ,  that  for  which  all  other  works  were  made  ; 
and  that  which  will  be  the  grand  theme  of  praise, 
and  inlinitely  the  higliest  source  of  blessedness  to  the 
saints  \i\  heaven  through  all  eternity.  Redemption 
is  that  method  ofdelivering  men  from  guilt,  depravily, 
and  misery,  and  of  restoriiig  them  to  the  di^'ine  fa- 
vour, to  the  image  of  God,  and  to  eternal  blrssed- 
ness.  which  Jehovah  in  his  supreme  wisdom  devised, 
and  which  was  accomplished  by  the  incarnation, 
obedience  and  death  of  the  Lord  .Fesus  Christ — the 
brightness  of  the  Fathers  glory,  and  the  express 
image  of  his  person.  From  tlie  day  on  which  the 
Saviour  died  upon  the  cross,  this  glorious  dispensa- 
tion, in  the  fiith  of  which  saints  from  the  beginnifig 
of  the  world  had  lived,  has  shed  its  saving  efficacy 
on  the  souls  of  men  ;  and  wherever  it  has  been  re- 
ceived, righteousness,  holiriess,  and  happiness  have 
been  ever  the  infallible  consequence. 

Since  the  day  of  Pt-ntecost,  when  salvation  was 
first  proclaimed  to  the  world  by  the  apostles  of  Christ, 
with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  i'v&m  heaven,  it  has 


THE    MILLElNNIUai.  445 

incessantly  been  attacked  by  potent  and  bitter  Toes 
even  to  the  present  day.  Jewish  unbeiiefsdught  to 
i^trangle  it  in  its  birth — persecuted  the  disciples  of 
Jesus  without  mercy;  and  its  champion  Saul  ofTar- 
suri,  rather  than  be  unemployed  in  a  work  of  blood, 
kept  the  clothes  of  him  who  stoned  to  death  the  tirst 
Christian  martyr.  Wlien  dirine justice  punished  the 
murderers  of  Christ  and  of  his  followers,  by  the  de- 
struction of  the  Jewish  nation,  Paganism  seized  the 
weapons  of  hostility  to  the  cross  of  Christ;  and  the 
patient  sufferings  of  thousands  under  bitter  persecu- 
tions, united  with  the  hope  of  glory  amidst  their  suf- 
ferings, displayed  thegrandeur  of  redemption.  Hea- 
then enmity  to  Immanuel  was  succeeded  by  Anti- 
christian  superstition  and  idolatry,  wliich  under  a 
pretext  of  superior  veneration  for  a  crucified  Sa- 
viour, persecuted  the  friends  of  the  pure  doctrines 
of  the  Gospel  with  a  keener  hatred  if  possible  than 
either  Pagans  or  Jews.  During  Antichrist's  reign, 
it  is  almost  by  their  blood  only  that  the  partakers  of 
salvation  can  be  traced  ;  and  in  its  stream  wc 
view  with  admiration  the  excellence  of  its  principles, 
in  the  meekness,  the  peace,  and  the  joy  with  which 
they  endured  martyrdom  in  its  most  terrifying  forms. 
Since  the  era  of  the  reformation,  the  triumphs  of  re- 
demption have  been  more  numerous  and  more  exten- 
sive. Still  however  the  gospel  has  found  adversaries: 
heresies  have  obscured  its  lustre — the  spirit  of  the 
world  has  despised  its  blessings — and  the  reign  of 
iniquity  among  the  mass  of  the  people  professing  to 
be  disciples  of  the  Son  of  God  has  tarnished  its  pure 
and  spiritual  glory—yet  Popery  defaces  its  brightness ; 
and  Judaism,  Mohammedanism,  and  Paganism  en- 
tirely conceal  it  from  hundreds  of  millions  of  the  hu- 
man race. 

But  when  the  Millennium  arrives, the  redemption  of 
sinners  will  be  displayed  in  all  its  splendour.  The 
divine  plan  from  eternity  ;  the  person  of  the  Media- 
tor as  God  manifest  in  the  flesh  ;  the  infinite  merit  of 
kie  obedience,  the  aionemeijt  made  by  his  sufferings 


446  ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY.  LLGTLRE    XX!. 

u'Mo  death,  and  his  intercession  at  tho  Fat!i"fs 
riliht  hand  ;  the  blessings  rosuhing  from  tlie  media- 
lion  ot'Christ,  pardon  and  reconcihation  with  God, 
the  sanctiHcation  oi'the  soul  by  the  IIo!v  Ghost,  com- 
munion >\ith  Ichovah  here,  and  eternal  fcHcily  in 
heaven — will  be  distinctly  understood  and  cordially 
received  ;  and  are  truths  that  nil!  produce  sanctity  of 
character,  loyalty  to  God,  benevolence  to  the  whole 
family  of  man,  harmony  in  private  life,  peace  be- 
tween nations,  and  an  extraordinary  degree  of  hnp- 
piness;  which  will  be  extended  with  the  gospel  which 
produced  them,  over  the  foce  of  the  whole  globe. 
From  generation  to  generation,  the  mass  of  mankind 
will  share  in  these  inestimable  beneiits,  the  enjoyment 
of  which  will  render  earth  a  paradise,  and  prepare 
a  multitude  which  no  man  can  number  for  the  bless- 
edness of  the  celestial  state. 

The  glory  of  the  Millennium  is  the  unrestricted 
operation  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ  upon  every  indi- 
vidual, in  his  personal  experience  and  social  rela- 
tions. Even  now,  the  difTerence  between  some  per- 
sons is  so  vast,  that  the  contrasts  of  ihe  latter  day 
can  scarcely  exhibit  a  greater  distiriction.  Bring  viv- 
idly before  your  imagination,  the  various  iMissionaries 
and  the  semi-brutal  subjects  of  their  instruction. 
Walk  with  Carey  and  Marshman  and  Ward  on  the 
banks  of  the  Ganges,  around  the  funeral  pile  where 
the  Indian  widows  are  consumed  ;  and  can  you  con- 
ceive of  any  thing  more  widely  separated  than  tliose 
Eastern  Luminaries,  and  the  bond  children  of  dark- 
ness w^hom  they  strive  to  enlighten  ?  Seat  yourselves 
with  Campbell  and  Read  and  Pliilip  in  a  Hottentot's 
kraal,  and  you  must  be  more  besotted  than  the  Caf- 
frarians  themselves,  if  you  can  not  discern  the  al- 
most incredible  elfects  produced  by  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Vanderkemp,  Kicherer,  and  their  Preihren. 
From  the  Northern  Esquimaux  to  the  Islanders  of  the 
South  Pacific,  wherever  a  Missionary  «w/l"5,  there  the 
stupividous  features  of  the  Millennium  may  in  some 
measure  be  discerned  ;    and  your  own  Missionaries 


THE  MILLENNIUM.  447 

at  Brainerd,  Maj  hew,  Elliott,  Dwight,  Harmony,  and 
Union  present  an  exhibition  in  contrast  v>\{h  the 
Cherokees,  Creeks,  and  Osages  around  them — some- 
thing like  that  wliich  the  present  highest  portion  of 
chriaiiiiiiity  will  appear,  when  compared  with  the  pre- 
emiuenlillnmination,  unalloyed  sanctity,  and  ceaseless 
consolalioiis  which  shall  characterize  that  terrestrial 
day  of  the  Lord,  (he  type  of  the  New-Jerusalem, 

Chiistians  oi"  every  denomination  are  urged  to  la- 
bour with  .dl  iheir  might,  that  the  principles  of  "•  pure 
mii]  undetiied  religion'"  may  be  exalted  to  their  utmost 
Millennial  extent  and  glory.  In  the  methods  adopt- 
ed to  inlroJuce  the  benighted  nations  of  our  globe 
to  the  faith  of  Christ,  we  must  co-operate  ;  by  our  ex- 
ertions, dojiaiions,  and  influence,  and  especially  by 
our  fervid  and  ceaseless  implorations  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  Satan's  Kingdom,  and  for  the  predicted  amp- 
litude of  Messiah's  triumphs.  Rejoice  that  you  have 
seen  the  evangelizing  of  the  world  commence,  and 
that  you  have  assisted  \n  founding  the  divine  fabric  ; 
add  stone  to  stone  with  all  speed,  and  animate  others 
also  to  work  diligently,  because  ere  long  you  shall 
hear  the  mandate  of  the  Master:  "-go  thou  thy  way, 
for  thou  shalt  rest :"  for  that  season  prepare  ;  and  al- 
though you  on  earth  may  not  feel  the  Millennium; 
you  shall  be  admitted  to  the  extacy  of  celestial  bliss, 
and  there  behold  the  gradual  progression  of  the  church 
to  the  consummation  of  its  promised  glory:  contem- 
plate the  thousand  years  as  they  rapidly  and  delight- 
fully revolve;  and  then,  after  the  dissolution  of  earth 
and  ti'ne,  you  shall  exult  in  the  enjoyment  of  felicity 
without  intermission  and  everlasting.  '•  The  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  ally         AMEN. 


THE  END. 


NOTICE. 


^i:^  The  Aulbor  rcjrrcts  essential  eiratta  in  the  work  ;  they  are  now  rr- 
reutf.ii.ible  ;  to  obviate  hyper  criticism,  lie  tlierefoi*-  statt^s,  that  lie  lias  not 
deemed  it  necessaiy  to  notice  either  literal  mistakes,  ivliether  they  involve 
the  ofthogra}>hy,  or  the  syntax:  or  vobal  aUeratlnns  mIk  ii  the  word  is 
merely  a  duplicate,  or  a  iriaiiilest  oyersight  ;  or  in  short,  any  error  which 
does  not  affect  the  utulLMstanding  of  the  subject.  The.  foUoming  require 
correction. 
Page  1 1 9  line  2jrom  the  end  ;  insteailnj,  its  complete,  Sic.  tead,  iras  ihc 

complete  itnd   cunning   adaptatioii  of  the  doctrhies  of  the  Komn  to 

the  depravity,  kc. 
167  hue  :i7.  After  to.  insert  attempt. 
201  line  1.  For  uid  read  a. 
216  line  26.   For  snprccy,  rrarf supremacy. 
25i)  Ini*'  U.   /or  all,  read  half  ot 
257  line  1 1.  For  that  island,  read  his  diocesfi. 
2t'U  line  30.  Insert  a  cdon  :  after  protracted. 
276  line  20.  For  imputatiou,  read  importation. 
232  line  23    For  they,  read  the  Reformers. 
30G  luie  9.     Jfter  had,  insert  not. 
322  line  .12.  For  Genevan,  read  general. 

421  line  23.  For  Zuir,  read  Zion. 

422  liiu-  3(5.  For  law,  read  love. 

424  hue  10.  Jfter  are,  i/iSerU;oojoiued. 

430  line  24.  For  personal,  read  powerful. 

438  liae  26.  for  five-  shavrcd,  rhd  ov   rsh  tdowed. 

APPENDIX. 

Page  6  Hue  tj'rom  bottom,  instead  of  f?^  read,  of  Ministers. 
Page  42  line  ^ 2  from  bottom,  iytsttfud  .f  ■:>  ■  i-i^i ,  read  last  nott. 
Page  56  line  2  from  bottom,  after  view  insert  liave. 


APi^ENDIX. 


The  nature  of  these  Lectures  precluded  the  intro- 
duction of  a  variety  of  matter,  which  might  tend  to 
the  enlarged  comprehension  of  the  multifarious  sub- 
jects  that  have  passed  under  review.  Defect  there- 
fore w  as  essentially  combined  with  the  whole  plan ; 
but  in  some  measure  to  obviate  this  unavoidable 
characteristic  of  the  design  ;  after  the  publication  of 
the  Lectures  had  been  arranged,  it  was  determined 
to  supply  the  most  obvious  deficiencies,  by  annota- 
tions appended  to  those  subjects,  which  seemed  to 
demand  additional  explanation.  Distinct  and  con- 
cise illustrations  were  required  upon  a  number  of 
articles  introduced ;  especially  to  convey  to  those 
for  whose  illumination  these  lectures  were  principal- 
ly delivered,  more  accurate  views  of  the  diversified 
history  ot  the  Church.  These  notes  are  still  inade- 
quate ;  but  comprehension  was  one  of  the  prominent 
objects  ;  and  it  was  neither  proposed  nor  practicable 
to  condense  within  a  sliort  popular  course  of  ad- 
dresses an  expanded  view  of  all  that  interests  in  the 
revolutions  which  the  church  of  Christ  has  experien- 
ced. The  following  elucidations  however,  may  have 
a  tendency  to  excite  a  desire  for  more  ample  infor- 
mation upon  the  topics  of  which  these  Lectures  form 
only  a  syllabus. 

The  diificulty  with  the  Author  has  not  been  what 
niatter  he  shall  insert;  the  labour  has  often  been  very 
serious  to  ascertain  what  he  shall  reject  ;  and  from 
the  immense  mass  of  materials  to  select  that  only 
which  was  compatible  with  the  avowed  purpose  ; 
to  embody  in  the  smallest  portraiture  possible, 
the  multiform  features  of  the  ecclesiastical  world 
1 


2  iwPPBNPlX. 

since  that  uuy,  when  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  be- 
gan "  to  continue  stedfast  in  tlie  Apostle's  doctrine 
and  fellowship,  and  in  breaking  of  bread  and  of 
prajers,"  until  the  present  period ;  with  a  prospect- 
ive glance  over.tlie  evangelical  landscape,  as  it  is 
exhibited  to  us  in  the  delineations  of  prophecy,  when 
in  him  who  is  greater  than  Solomon,  "  men  shall  be 
blessed,  and  all  nations  shall  call  him  blessed;  and 
the  whole  earth  shall  be  filled  with  his  glory.  Amen." 

/.  Page  7.     The  Christian  religion  verified  bj  facts. 

Tlie  argument  introcluced  iu  the  introductory  lecture,  merits  adilitionc^ 
illustration  lor  the  sake  of  those- who  may  never  have  inquired  wiiether  the 
Sacred  Scriptures  can  be  demonstrated  to  be  authentic  and  divUiely  ins- 
pired. Fact  is  the  most  easily  coaiprehensibJe  of  all  eyideuce,  and  its 
Jbrce  has  thus  been   very  luminously  stated. — 

"  If  the  facts  recorded  in  the  Gospel  are  incontestable,  and  if  the  mira- 
cles of  Jesus  Christ  are  admitted,  then  his  religion  is  substantiated  by 
proofs  more  tbau  sufficient ;  and  without  adveiting  to  iateriuinable  contro- 
versies respecting  dottrioes,  this  point  involves  a  general  and  aathoritative 
decision. 

Proofs  of  facts  constitute  the  most  weighty  testimony,  the  most  perfect 
certitude  to  wliich  the  human  mind  can  attain,  la  things  not  scll'-cvjdcut ; 
because  it  is  more  congenial  and  proportioned  to  the  feebleness  of  our  con- 
ceptions— because  the  unitbrm  vrrifioations  of  au  ancient  occurrence 
involve  truths  and  principles  esseirtial  to  jiuman  nature,  and  of  whith  the 
impression  is  so  general,  profound  and  vivid,  that  they  are  a  proiaiaent 
part  of  the  basis  upon  which  civil  society  is  founded — because  they  are 
less  subject  to  disputatious  subtlety,  or  artificial  ratiocination — because 
no  energy  of  argument  can  balance,  much  less  vanquish  an  (uuienlablf; 
fact — and  because  an  event  includes  at  least  to  the  grasp  of  our  knoivJcdge, 
the  largest  fertility  of  consequences  evidently  ceitain  and  regular.  Now. 
facts  thus  demonstrate  the  truth  of  the  Christian  Religion  :  for  Gnd  infi- 
nitely good  and  holy  cannot  authorize  imposture,  or  sanction  by  IiLs  con- 
curFcnce  the  seductions  of  the  adversary  ;  but  by  miracles,  the  apparent 
suspension  of  the  laws  which  govern  the  universe,  the  powei  of  God  is 
exhibited  in  the  most  impressive  manner  ;  as  it  is  obvious,  that  the  ordi  r 
established  by  Omnipotence,  can  be  deranged  only  by  him.  Hence  when- 
ever prodigies  or  evident  interruptions  of  the  general  and  pre-establishc<l 
harmony  of  things  are  exhibited,  God  is  the  author  ;  and  therefore  every 
doctrine  authorized  by  the  suspensions  of  the  ordinrtry  laws  of  creation, 
is  truth  certified  by  the  Sovereign  of  the  Universe,  if  it  can  be  evinced  oulj, 
that  the  facts  iu  corroboration  are  indubitable. 

It  is  admitted  that  Christianity  includes  principles  of  faith  which  stagger 
all  evidence  ;  but  mark  the  wonders  which  accompanietl  their  origina'j 
promulgation  ;  and  behold  all  nature  obedient  to  the  voice  of  him  whr 
taught  them.  All  corporeal  diseases  vanish  ;  winds  and  tempests  are  iustau- 
taneously  calmed  ;  the  fury  of  the  waves  in  a  storm  become  a  plain  orj 
xvhich  the  hiimim  body  TValkB  ;  and  tho  entombed  dead  ariso  to  natnra* 
life. 


APPENDIX-  ^ 

Jitijfi^e  wonders  ntiest  the  religion  of  Jesns,  one  of  three  inferencea 
iijU'it  be  chosen,  a  fourth  cannot  be  invented. 

ft  must  be  asserted,  that  God  sports  with  the  feeble  reason  of  men.  and 
deceives  ttiem  by  the  exhibitions  ot  his  Omnipotence;  this  is  Atheistic 
hiasphemy — or  that  the  doctrines  of  Christ  aretrne,  since  God  has  confirns- 
ed  tliem  by  the  most  extraordinary  snperhninan  operations;  this  is  Chris- 
tian confidence — or  that  all  tlie  mysteries  of  (he  Gospel  are  euHnisiistic 
reveries,  because  the  alleged  miracles  were  never  performed  ;  this  is  the 
Scorner's  infidelity. 

But  what  are  the  characteristics  which,  place  a  fact  in  immovable  cer- 
tainty ?  It  must  be  possible,  involving  no  absurdity  or  contradiction — ■ 
announced  not  by  one  person  alone,  but  averred  by  many  cotemporary  and 
ocular  witnesses,  enlightened,  ingenious,  sincere,  neither  deluded  nor 
deceivers— the  fact  must  be  interesting  in  in  its  natsne,  and  public  in  its 
exhibition,  demonstrating  its  verity  by  its  co:'i^.ection  with  subsequent 
circumstances  which  originate  in  that  event,  and  remaining  uncontradicted 
not  only  by  the  parties  whom  it  may  benefit,  but  also  by  those  whom  it 
oflends  ;  and  if  it  shall  have  occurred  at  an  ancient  epocha,  or  a  very  dis- 
tant country,  that  it  still  be  detailed  without  alteration,  and  in  all  the 
genuine  integrity  of  truth. 

Apply  these  criteria  to  the  sacred  scriptures.  The  most  stupendous 
prodigies  recorded  in  its  pages,  are  neither  absurd,  contradictory  nor  im- 
possible— every  circumstance  as  narrated,  unfolds  the  actual  presence  of 
the  writer,  "  that  which  we  have  seen  and  beard  declare  we  unto  you" — ■ 
and  the  authenticity  of  the  bible  is  sustained  by  traditionary  sufTrage,  cons- 
tant, unanimous,  and  universal  ;  eircunjscribing  the  learnino;  of  all 
generations,  the  inhabitants  of  all  lands,  and  the  numberless  disputants  of 
-every  discordant  sect  whether  heretical  or  orthodox.  Besides  the  candour 
and  sincerity  of  the  witnesses  clothe  the  facts  in  the  garb  of  the  utmost  ere* 
dibility.  Examine  their  characters — unimpeached  by  their  implacable 
foes  :  unambitious,  frank,  exposing  their  own  delects  :  patient,  resigned, 
nncomplaining,  having  no  tensporal  interest  to  seduce  them,  and  a  merciless 
death  their  only  remuneration  :  men  whom  no  historian  has  dared  to  con- 
tradict, by  whose  word  the  world  has  been  transformed,  and  whfise  causo 
martyrdoiu  has  constantly  sustained.  Whether  we  regard  the  natiue  of  the 
facts,  or  the  circumstances  regarding-  their  original  publication,  among 
their  foes,  and  immediately  after  they  occurred,  we  have  more  than  suffi- 
cient evi.lence  of  their  indisputable  truth  and  validity;  because  no  events 
could  be  more  interesting  in  their  nature  or  more  public  in  their  transaction 
and  development. 

Every  fact  is  indubitable  when  others  incontestably  certain  arc  tlie 
neressary  effects  of  it  ;  hut  with  the  actions  of  Cluist  are  icdissdliibly  com. 
bined  results  now  existing;  therefore  the  miracles  of  the  Saviour  are 
jndeoiable.  A  consequence  pioves  the  principle  ;-streams  declare  a  si)Mrce; 
dependence  involves  an  origin  :  and  effects  demonstrate  a  cause.  'I'bc 
following  most  stupendous  events  <  ither  have  no  asssio;nabie  cansc,  or  tliey 
are  inseparably  concatenated  with  the  lil'o.  death,  rosui  reel  ion  and  ascen- 
sion of  Jesus  of  Nazaiath.  the  King  of  the  Jews— the  tfansfonnatiDo  m  the 
world  and  the  conversion  of  the  nations  from  idolitry  U>  {h>^  worship  of 
the  one  living  and  true  God;  and  the  number  and  ibnitiule  and  the 
constancy  of  the  Martyrs,  Upon  this  last  circumf^tr.ncc,  it  is  ntf-ited, 
that  not  the  hope  full  of  immortality,  but  a  lanatical  dtlirium,  or  an 
ambitious  desire  of  a  great  name,  or  their  own  simple  credulity  and 
facility  to  be  deceived  induced  them  to  exult  in  incessant  persecution. 
This  reply  falsifies  all  hist^y  ;  for  the  noblest  devotees,  the  glory  of  the 
Pagan  Mythology,  abandoned  their  altars,  embraced  the  cioss,  confuted 
Cbe  sophists,  and  iu  their  tortures  blessed  their  tormentgrs. 


4  appeITdix. 

Thus  it  is  evi;]cnt,  that  upon  a  palj  a^e  Tact  they  could  iint  be  drrr  iveti : 
go  wii-h  respect  to  tlj«  uiiracUs  wliifii  they  thrmselvcs  pt ifoinieti,  it  was 
impossiLile  tor  them  to  be  df lnded.  Ircuffiu?;  a>siir«s  us  tt>at  tht  y  haitished 
diseases,  revealed  (hou:;!its.  spake  in  diveis  !aiigu;ie»%  and  rai«<l  ti)'>  dead 
to  life.  Origrn,  'IVrtuilian  atid  FCiispbiiis,  cliiiclians  ;  Celsiis,  pi>i|jliyiv, 
aii'l  Julian.  Atheist.,  all  coriohoiale  this  wondrons  nairative.  'lo  tiHsn 
Idcts.  let  a  third  be  suhjoincd  :  since  the  Apostolic  rra,  fel<bn»ti(»iiv  yiui 
(easts  have  been  uiiriitiM(niltiiJg:ly  maintained  by  tin;  disciples.  On  the  fiis.t 
day  oi  the  week,  they  assembled  to  break  bread;  and  without  iMtprnip'ioii, 
that  day  hascontiniied  iu  eveiv  age  and  country,  to  be  most  precisely  and 
rigorously  the  distinctive  I'eslival  of  Christians  for  thanksgiving,  prayer 
and  repose.  Ti)e  ordinance  of  Bapti>^^^m  an<l  the  Lord's  Supper  j  the 
certitude  of  Imniaoiiei's  rcsmreClion  by  the  designation  of  a  weekly  day  to 
hallow  the  reinembranfe  ol  it,  are  all  the  conseqiuMiccs  of  that  event  ;  and 
conk:  not  ollierwise  have  been  authorized,  established  and  prolonged. 

It  must  be  also  remr  m'tered,  that  the  prodigies  displayed  by  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  hav«  been  authoritatively  verilit-d  by  those  who  were  inte- 
rested in  disproving  and  denying  them.  Jews,  Pagans  and  IMohammedaus 
all  testily  to  the  trnth  of  the  evangelical  annals.  John  the  iJaptiit,  the 
Pharisees,  the  High  Piiest,  Herod,  Agrippa,  the  seven  sons  of  Seeva, 
Josephus.  and  the  Taluiudists,  all  adcnit,  that  the  God  of  Christians  had 
astounded  the  eartii  by  "  his  marvellous  works."  The  innocence  of  the 
Redeemer  is  attested  by  Porphyry,  Celsus.  Julian  the  Apostate;  and 
bonniu-  was  appropriated  to  our  Lord  by  Tiberius,  Adiian,  Marcus  Aurclius, 
Anloniiuis.  Alexand'^rSeverns,  Emperors; — Pliny,  Suetonius,  Chaichidius, 
Phlegon,  Tlialtus,  Macrobitis,  Liician,  Historians,  detail  the  prnirinent 
facts  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  sublime  virtues  of  the  primitive  christians; 
while  the  Koran  consists  principally  of  the  woiideis  ol  Jesus  Christ,  distor- 
ted, disligiired  and  debased  ;  but  never  disputed  or  denied. 

That  tije  detail  of  these  facts  has  survived  the  liipse  of  ages  without 
change  is  manifest  ;  if  we  consider  that  the  supposition  even  of 
any  alteration  involves  the  utmost  contradiction  and  absurdity.  No 
period  can  be  specified  tor  the  corruption  ;  no  motives  can  be  alleged 
to  Jtistily  the  fraud  ;  no  portion  can  be  e\tracted  to  devclope  the  forgery, 
and  no  persons  can  be  adduced  as  the  authors  of  the  deception.  It  is 
contrary  to  all  moral  possibility,  that  any  person  should  ever  be  so 
audiicious  as  extensively  to  corrupt  the  Gospel  ;  because  it  could  not  be 
the-  iPiiiLuns.  the  Jews  or  the  Chrl'<tians  :  the  Heathens  felt  no  interest  in 
the  books — the  Jews  and  Christians  would  have  mutually  Impeded  each 
other  ;  and  even  had  the  children  of  Israel  nut  interposed,  the  disciples  of 
the  LorrI  coidd  not  have  executed  it.  The  Manuscripts  were  scattered 
froiTi  one  end  of  the  civilized  world  to  the  other,  so  that  the  whole  body 
cordd  not  combine  ;  a  sect  however  willing  was  not  able,  and  individuals 
were  totally  incompetent  :  and  the  allegation  that  the  Christian  system 
lus  been  etfectually  corrupted  to  any  extent  and  importance,  has 
never  been  advanced  by  any  infidel  or  heretic,  at  any  period,  or  of 
any  country.  With  respect  to  the  epoch,  it  was  either  previous  or  sub- 
sequent to  the  first  apologies  of  the  earliest  writers,  lint  the  quotations  of 
Clemens  and  others  are  in  exact  conformity  with  the  acknowledged  text  ; 
and  if  it  be  replied  that  the  change  \»as  even  prior  to  that  age,  then  it 
follows,  that  the  Apostles  and  P'vangelists  corrupted  their  own  genniLe 
works  ;  which  is  a  supposition  equally  as  irrational  as  the  declaration  of 
bitn  who  averred  that  the  New  Tcstatncnt,  with  all  the  ponderous  e«cle- 
siastical  Authors  anterior  to  Constantine,  was  maunlactured  by  an  Impos- 
tor, or  by  the  Emperor's  couimand  to  sanction  his  imperial  authority. — 
But  as  all  men  act  upon  views  of  interest,  and  a  iaisification  of  the  volume- 


5  APPENDIX. 

I'h'cii  they  tliemsplves  esteem  sacred  must  have  some  mati^^e — it  i=; 
=  if<niUKj«if,  ill  vyhat  part  ot  the  Gospel  can  any  alteration  be  discovciTf!  / 
their  iiiMocence  of  character  precluded  them  from  deteriorating  IVoin  the 
elficacy  ol  divine  injunctions  ; — if  they  had  been  deceivers  they  ivoiild  not 
have  formed  a  yoke  of  severe  self-Kienial. 

The  mysteriotjsness  of  Kome  of  the  evangelical  doctrines  would  iiifallihly 
have  rniiifd  their  inventors  ;  and  an  appeal  to  contemporaries  as  wituossws 
for  the  trntii  of  the  most  incredibJe  of  all  events,  unless  they  had  heard 
and  seen  tliem,  and  without  the  most  positive  and  nndeniahle  testimony 
of  thft  S' uses  would  have  been  an  act  of  inuacy.  not  the  condnct  of  aitlid 
and  cnnniitg  deceptions  fabricators.  To  persuade  persons  that  they  have 
seen  prodigies  which  never  appeared,  and  to  cite  them  as  evidence  of 
that  which  never  existed,  is  such  an  excess  of  infatuation,  that  in  the 
nomenclature  of  human  language  an  epithet  has  not  yet  been  discovered 
to  express  its  preposterous  and  enormous  absurdity.  Consequently,  it  is 
demonstrable,  that  the  evangelical  history  is  an  authentic  and  sjennuie 
narrative,  celestially  inspired,  confirmed  by  divine  sanction  ;  and  that  the 
history  of  the  church  and  the  world,  which  is  the  result  of  its  original 
proniuigation,  most  urgently  claims  our  attention  as  secondary  only  to  the 
jiiipeiisliahle  dictatesof  everlasting  truth  ;  which  are  *•  the  light  of  our  feet 
-ind  the  lamp  of  our  path." 

//.  Page  1 7.     The  Impropriety  of  our  Juvenile  bnoks. 

By  the  exclusion  of  the  history  of  the  christian  church  from  the  earlv 
course  of  reading,  as  an  appendage  to  the  sacred  volume,  a  vieious  taste  in 
our  youth  is  formed.  Having  roved  among  the  voluptuous  tictions  of  the 
fabulous  ages ;  having  been  charmed  with  the  luscious  and  intoxicating 
descriptions  of  the  ancient  Bacchanalian  and  sensual  mythology  ;  having 
imbibed  a  suppositious  sanction  for  their  unballowed  and  dominent  pro- 
pensities ;  having  been  taught  to  admire  above  all  other  personages  the 
ehararters  of  the  human  butchers  who  tyrannized  over  the  nations  in  anti- 
quity ;  and  having  been  induced  to  suppose  that  the  idolatrous  Greece 
and  Pagan  Rome  yield  all  the  literary  productions  which  merit  attention  ; 
they  turn  with  disgust  from  records  that  dispel  the  licentious  phantoms  of 
imagination,  and  that  rivet  the  mind  to  the  sober  realities  ol  the  world — 
they  discover  no  attiaction  in  pages  which  ever  represent  the  subjects  of 
their  serai-idolatry,  the  Jupiter,  the  Juno,  the  Bacchus,  the  Venus,  with 
all  the  other  laiM;ied  abominable  rabble  of  ancient  Olympus,  as  merely  dif- 
ferent exhibitions  of  that  arch-devil,  whom,  as  the  Ephesians  said  of  their 
idol  Diana,  all  the  world  worshipped  ;  and  because  they  have  no  relish  ; 
they  aFe  dissatisfied  with  a  volume  in  which  every  principle  of  error  and 
delusion  is  effectually  dispelled,  and  everj  movement  of  vice  is  distinctly 
reprobated. 

in  the  embellishments  with  which  unprincipled  and  inCdel  Authors 
have  attempted  to  decorate  the  Alexanders  and  Ca:sars  of  the  ojden  times ; 
the  minds  of  youth  often  forget  the  magnitude  of  their  personal  crimes  and 
the  deluge  of  misery  with  which  they  overwhelmed  the  nations  whither 
their  madness  impelled  them  ;  hence  the  inflated  juvenile  readers  become 
uninterested  in  the  examples  of  patient  suffering,  humble  confidence  and 
triumphant  serenity  of  the  less  noisy  but  more  heroic  warrior  who,  through 
divine  grace,  conquers  himself;  and  because  they  hear  Homer,  Demosthe- 
nes, Cicero,  Virgil  and  Horace  applauded  as  without  equals,  they  affect 
to  disdain  the  writers  who  have  flourished  since  the  Christian  era:  all 
whose  powers  are-  consecrated  to  the  service  of  that  cause,  and  the  illus- 
tration of  that  book,  which    alone  will  survive  the  final  conflagration, 


0  APPENDIX. 

vfhen  "  the  elements  shall  melt  witli  fervent  heat,  anu  liiri  heaveii.-;  l*ejrig 
on  fire  shall  he  dissolve, I."  Thu  at!.ent'>M!i  devoted  to  ih<i  Bioks  gcacralh/ 
denominated  Classic,  is  one  of  the  grand  sources  of  that  infidelity  of  prin- 
ciple and  vitiosilr^  in  practice,  nh  ick  so  many  of  (hose,  nhose  yovtiger  years 
elapse  in  the  study  of  them,  exhibit.  Let  it  be  r^iiieinberecJ  also,  thai 
there  is  not  less  genius,  much  more  useliil  knowledge,  and  inconceiv- 
ably higiicr  f  (lification  to  be  deduced  from  the  Tinker's  Pilgrim,  than 
from  all  the  Farragio  ot'the  Angnstan  age  ;  and  one  of  the  best  means  to  aid 
the  cause  of  •'  Pure  and  undehled  Pieligioij,"  to  promote  the  virtuous  priur 
cjples  of  our  youth,  and  to  assist  in  the  promulgation  of  evangelical  verities, 
is  to  invert  the  present  order  of  study  ;  and  instead  cf  (irst  imbruing  the 
mind  with  all  the  irreligion  of  the  most  preposterous  Atheism,  and  excit- 
ing an  almost  inextinguishable  attachment  to  the  corruptions  of  the 
13arehanals  ;  to  siibstitnte  the  annals  of  the  Christian  church  as  the  intro- 
duction to  all  other  general  topics,  and  the  primary  course  in  the  historical 
department. 

The  4"t-^of  is  sensible,  that  upon  this  subject  he  is  in  the  minority  ;  but 
he  has  never  yet  found  a  Christian  classical  scholar,  who  did  not  lament 
the  baleful  effects  of  those  associations  of  ideas  which  originated  in  the< 
ribaldry  of  the  Heathen  Mylhologists.  to  which  his  attention  was  directed 
when  Ike  was  entering  the  vestibule  of  literature  ;  and  he  has  often  beard 
distinguished  Greek  and  l/atin  iustrnclors,  expressing  their  wish  for  a  total 
change  in  the  books  prescribed  for  initiation  into  the  knowledge  of  thos»i 
languages.     "  It  is  a  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished." 

JH.  Page  23-     Did  Peter  ever  vidt  Rome  7 

Considerable  doubt  attaches  to  the  traditionary  fact,  that  I'etcr  was 
iuartyred  at  Rome.  Eusebius  however  asserts  it  as  of  umiucstionable 
authenticity.  No  person  could  have  foreseen  the  base  purposes  for 
which  it  would  have  been  used  by  the  Papists  ;  however,  inider  any 
circumstances,  the  whole  Antichristian  hierarchy  vanishes,  and  leaves  not 
a  wreck  beh  iid  ;  when  its  bass  is  an  event  that  Scripture  doc:  not  record, 
and  the  justest  inferences  from  which  render  at  least  improbable. 

IV.  Page  39.     The  seven  churches  in  Asia, 

The  Missionaries  Parsons  and  I''isk  in  their  late  research  of  this  evan- 
gelical district,  describe  the  present  situation  of  these  remains  of  antiquity. 
With  the  exception  of  Laodicea,  the  natural  destruction  is  not  altogether 
so  complete  as  prior  travellers  had  induced  us  to  believe;  but  the  expli>- 
ration  confirms  the  fact,  that  the  spiritual  desoiatioo  is  almost  total. 

v.  Page  42.     The  independent  or  congregational  system  of  Church  gov, 
ernment  established  by  the  Gospel. 

Primitive  Christianity  in  its  regulations,  discipline  and  Officers  was 
spewlily  deteriorated  by  the  corruption  and  especially  by  the  ambition  ot 
men.  However  wonderful  (he  anomaly,  yet  it  was  elicited  at  a  very  early 
period,  after  the  death  ol  the  Apostle  John.  An  occasional,  or  a  voitm- 
tary,  or  an  invited  or  a  delegated  A?sociationC?^Hnd  Members  of  Chui-ehes 
assuming  DO  Jurisdiction,  and  exercising  no  Lordship  over  the  Christian 
Societies  conoected  with  them,  is  often  beneficial,  as  such  meetings  pro- 
mote harmony  and  combiu<?  exertion  :  but  an  established,  enjoined,  and 
undying  body  of  distinct  spiritual  I^egislators  and  Judges,  under  whatever 
I  or  by  whatever  prelcxt  [i^rpetuated,  is  "  the  tail  of  the  old  Scorpion 


APPENDIX.. 

will)  all  his  venom."  With  recatd  (o  riiuifh  t;oHfr  sr.d  individual 
privHeges  :  the  quaint  truth  of  one  of  thp  pristine  Puritans  could  easily 
be  demonstrated.  Ao;ainst  the  ancient  Episcopal  Hierarchy,  lie  irresisti- 
bly urged,  (liat  there  was  "  no  consistent  ground  on  v.  huh  a  ci.i ivlian  could 
stand,  between  raenibership  in  an  Indcpcndeut  set  it  ty  ot  Believers,  and 
kissinjE  the  Pope's  toe."  In  truth,  all  the  various  clerical  aristocracies  now 
existing  are  only  bastard  modifications  of  the  Papacy  ;  the  present  situa- 
lion  of  thi'.igs  requiring  that  their  most  odious  excrescences  should  be 
eillHT  removed  or  concealed. 

luevery  aje,  they  have  displayed  siniil;r  despotinn  in  rule,  absurdity 
and  error  in  decision,  and  rottenness  of  principle,  to  that  which  ebaracte- 
I'lzed  the  councils  who  forged  the  chains  for  thf  iuinds  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  iron  ages.  Rules  and  laws,  resolutions  and  acts,  denunciations  and  . 
canons,  creeds  and  explications,  replies  and  amendments,  all  are  framed 
in  these  assemblies,  not  according  to  the  oracles  of  tn.th.  or  the  requisition.^ 
of  equity,  or  evangelical  freedom,  or  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  but  for  the 
purposes  of  intellectual  vassalage,  and  by  the  doctrine  of  expediency: 
and  as  aa  nnavoidrtble  consequence,  their  procecdiii;;s  are  an  inextricable 
maze  of  endless  inconsistencies,  injustice  and  contradiction.  But  as  the. 
history  of  tlie  chmcb  in  modern  ages  will  unavoidably  rtcord  some  memo- 
ralde  instances  of  that  wondrous  tergiversation  and  departure  from  rectitude, 
which  is  the  most  prominent  feature  of  lliose  en  lesiastical  nuisances  ;  and 
as  the  history  of  the  English  Puritans  and  P>^onconiormists,  and  the  New- 
England  Congregationalists  will  comprize  a  general  exposition  of  their 
platform  of  church  government,  the  subject  is  heiue  transl'erred  to  that . 
narrative,  as  its  more  appropriate  department. 

FI.  FageG4.     Extracts  frcm  the  Letters  of  the  Churches  at  Smijrna  and 
Lyons   Tcspceting  their  persecutions. 

The  church  cf  God  which  is  at  Smyrna,  vntn  all  the  congregations 
throughout  Pontiis,  mercy,  peace  and  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  and  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  multiplied. 

We  have  written  unto  yon  brethren,  of  such  as  suffered  martyrdom,  and 
of  blessed  Polycarp,  who  signed  and  sealed  the  persecution  with  his  own 
blood.  The  beholders  were  amazed,  seeing;  the  tksh  of  the  Martyrs  rent 
with  scourges,  even  into  the  inner  veins  and  sinews,  so  that  tJie  most 
secret  entiails  of  their  bodies,  their  bowels  were  piteously  to  be  seen. 
Beholding  again  the  sharp  shells  of  sea  fish,  and  pebble  stones  strewed 
under  the  Martyrs  backs  and  bruised  bodies,  with  every  kind  of  torment 
that  could  be  devised.  Lastof  all  they  were  thrown  to  be  torn  to  pieces,  and 
be  devoured  of  wild  beasts.  Germanicus  valiiintly  endured  and  overcame 
through  the  grace  of  God,  that  corporeal  fear  of  death,  grafted  in  the  frail 
iiature  of  man  :  lor  when  the  Proconsul  exhorted  him  to  relent,  admo- 
lished  him  of  his  tender  years,  prayed  bim  to  pity  his  own  case  being  now 
in  the  flower  of  his  youth  ;  he  without  intermission,  desired  that  ivith 
speed  he  might  be  dispatched  of  this  cruel  and  wicked  life.  Which  patience 
and  constancy  of  the  blessed  Martyr,  and  of  the  whole  Chiistian  nation, 
the  multitude  of  infidels  beholding,  su<lderdy  cried  out,  "  Remove  the 
wicked,  seek  out  Polycarp."  He  hearing  the  report  of  this  cruel  persecu- 
tion, retained  the  immoveable  tranquility  of  his  mind,  and  continued 
in  the  city,  until  at  length  he  was  persuaded  to  go  aside  for  a  season,  where 
lie  abode  with  a  few ;  occupied  day  and  night  only  in  prayer,  making 
fiiipplication  after  his  usual  manner,  for  the  tranquillity  and  peace  of  all 
fiongiegations  throughout  the  veorld.  Three  days  before  he  was  taken, 
he  saw  in  ft  vision  by  night,  the  pillctr  mirter  his  hei*d  wt  en  f5ro,  v.v,<\ 


3  ATTEaVlJL. 

suddenly  consumed  to  usties ;  when  he  awaked,  he  JiittrpiTfot' hi.s  visi.ifi 
t;>  t!i>  III  who  V  tre  then  prest-nt,  plainly  progiiosUcaling  Ihat  it  sIkiKi'I 
come  to  pass,  that  bis  lifeshmild  be  ended,  that  his  body  should  he  biiniKl 
lor  the  testisDoiiy  oi"  Christ.  When  the  searchers  were  at"hiMid.  ;it  (lit- 
earliest  iatrcaty  of  his  iriends,  he  fled  thence  unto  another  village,  where 
Ihe  pursuers  came,  who  took  two  boys  of  that  plaee,  and  scourg,e(i  thtai 
Jiotil  one  of  theracontiessetl  the  circumstance,  and  led  them  to  tlie  loiigiiiti 
of  Polycarp.  When  they  had  entered  in,  they  fonnd  him  lying  in  an  upper 
chamber  where  lie  mi^jht  have  escaped  if  it  pleased  him.  But  he  saul ; 
ffifi.  nill  of  the  Lord  bcjulfillcd.  l''or  he  understanding  tht-ir  pretence, 
lame  down,  communed  witii  them  pleasantly  and  clieeriiiliy,  so  tiiat 
Ihrty  which  kne^v  him  not  before,  stedfastly  eyed  his  eomcly  age,  mar- 
velling thai  a  man  of  sncli  years  should  be  taken-  Ho  connnandt^d  the 
table  forthwith  to  be  covered,  meat  to  be  laid  on,  requested  them  to  make 
merry,  craved  of  tiiem  the  space  of  one  hour  lor  prayer:  that  being 
granted,  he  rose  up,  went  to  prayer  so  replenished  by  the  grace  of  God, 
that  such  as  were  present  and  prayed,  hearing  his  devotion,  were  ravish* 
ed,  and  many  sorrowed,  that  so  honest  and  godly  a  father  should  die. 
When  he  had  ended  his  prayer,  they  set  him  on  an  ass,  and  brought  him  to 
tiie  city  being  on  the  great  Sabbith  day.  There  met  him  Hi-iod  the  jus- 
tice of  peace,  and  his  father  Nicetes,  who  receiving  him  into  their  chariot, 
persuaded  him,  saying :  •'  what  harm  is  it  to  say  Lord  Ca3>ar,  to  sacrilice, 
a:ul  so  l>e  saved  ?"  At  the  first  he  answered  nothing,  but  when  they 
nrged  him  he  said  :  "  I  will  not  condescend  to  your  counsel."  Tiiey  per- 
ceiving he  would  not  be  persuaded  gave  him  very  rough  language,  and 
tumbled  hira  out  of  the  waggon,  to  the  bruising  his  shins  :  hut  he  as  though 
he  had  been  nothing  hurt  nor  injured  at  all,  went  bolt  upright,  cheerful 
and  apace  towards  the  theatre.  When  he  was  come  upon  the  theatre  or 
stage,  a  voice  came  down  from  heaven,  which  by  reason  of  the  great  tumult 
was  heard  of  few  :  Bs  of  good  cheer,  O  Polycarp,  and  play  the  man  — 
The  speaker  no  man  saw,  but  the  voice  was  heard  by  many  of  us-  In  the 
mean  time  the  multitude  was  in  a  rage,  seeing  Polycarp  brought  tbrth  . 
the  Proconsul  demanded  of  him  whether  he  were  that  Polycarp^  beckon- 
ing that  he  should  deny  it,  and  saying.:  "Tender  thine  years."  with  such 
like  persuasions,  ♦•  Swear  by  the  fortune  ofCjesar.  repent  thee  of  that  i!> 
past,  say,  remove  the  wicked,"  But  Polycarp  beholding  with  unmoval)(<; 
countenance  the  multitude  round  about  the  stage,  pointing  with  the  hand, 
and  sigiyng,  and  looking  up  to  heaven,  said  :  "  Remove  O  Lord  these 
wicked."  When  the  Proconsul  urged  and  said,  swear,  and  I  will  let  thee 
go,  blaspheme  and  defy  Christ,  Polycarp  answered:  Fourscore  and  six 
years  have  I  served  him,  neither  hath  he  at  any  time  ever  off  ended  me  in 
anything:  and  hon  can  I  reuHe  my  king  who  hath  thus  kept  me!  The 
Proconsul  still  urged  and  said,  '•  Swear  by  the  fortune  of  C'jesar." — 
To  whom,  Polycarp  :  "  If  thow  requires!  this  vaiu  glory,  that  I  protest 
the  fortune  of  Cajsar,  as  thou  sayest,  feigning  thou  knowest  me  not  who  I 
am  :  here  freely,  I  am  a  Christian  :  and  if  tboudesircst  to  kuow  the  doctriiu- 
ot  Christianity,  appoint  the  day  and  thoii  shall  hear  it."  When  the  Pro . 
consul  said,  '•  persuade  this  people  :"  Polycarp  answered  .  "  I  have  vOiMJi- 
safed  to  confer  with  thee."-  To  this  the  Proconsnl  said  :  I'have  wil(5 
beasts  to  devour  thee  urdcss  thon  repent.  Polycarp  answered,  "  hrin' 
them  forth."  Again  the  Proconsul  said  :  "I  will  quiet  thee  with  fire  il 
thou  regard  not  the  beasts  nor  repent,"  to  whom  Polycarp  answered  •  "Thou 
threatenest  fire  for  an  hour,  which  lasteth  a  while  and  quickly  is  quenched 
but  thou  art  ignorant  of  the  everlasting  fire  at  the  day  of  judgment,  and 
endless  torments  reserved  for  the  wicked.  But  why  liiigeiest  thou  ^— 
dispatch  as  it  pleasetli  thee."     Uttering  these  words,  ha  was  coustaut  and 


f  heel  Hil.  anf]  liis  eoy.uenance  so  g/aoious.  that  the  Proconsul  being  amazed, 
< o:nir,;u)(Je<i  the  beyijle  j»  tJic  riiitlsi  ol-  the  ilif-dtifi,  Uirice  lo  cry  :  "  Poly- 
carp  coiifb-..«eth  iiimstK'a  chiisUaa."  At  which  saying,  Ui<  nmltii.iii!<:  Loth 
oijeivs  am!  (aeoijies  HiJu(bitiUi  .;Sm}iija.  slioutoil  with  a  great  r^ge,  '*  this 
is  that  Doctor  oiWsiii.  L],r  iiUbec  of  the  t'lnistiacs,  tlit?  oveithruwer  of  oiif 
tiod^,  who  Latli  taaalil  wauy,-  that  om  Giid»  iuv.  iiot  to  be adcireii."  Tiun 
they  ericfl  witii  one  voiie,  tliat  ruiv<aip  slioiild  be  biifiied  qiiir'aiv. 
Thtircldie  the  inuititudc  iiirlliw  ith  tanifd  lois  of  ivood  ami  slicks  otu  .-if 
their  s;jo(>s  ami  booli;s.  iIi^  baud;,  beini  thet)  bound  to  his  baei;.  hi-,  fit 
Ibraa  aceeptab^e  buiiu  rayiiii'-t'  i.iiU)  Aiiiiigiity  Gn.l,  was ofi"e,red  saying  :  O 
Fatijer  ot'-tby  ivbj!  hclo.c.]  aijd  liI-  s^.-J  ?0!.  J,"e«ii.>.  Ci  list,  thioiigli'wbo!>!  we 
Ivave  koavvi!  iheci :  O  God  oithe.  a-'iie!-;  au.i  powers,  aud  ofevery  iivinsi  crea- 
tiii-e  aitd  of  all  sor;\  oi' just  iiicii  w;jo  i.-.e  its  thy  pit  s  net ,  I  thank  thee  ibat 
tbuii  hast  grat-iousiy  vouchsalc'd  lids  day  ajjd  this  hour,  lo  allot  me  a  por- 
tjoii  amoii^  the  iHmib','r  of  Mailvis,  among;  the  people  nfChrist.  iiiiti  the 
resiine.clioo  of  the  evnlasUiig  liie.  both  of  body  and  of  sou',  in  t'.e  iiicor- 
Miptio;iof  liie  Holy  G;;o^t,  aaK)ii'»;  whom  I  shall  be  received  iu  fliy  sl^itit 
this  (lay.  as  a  hidl-ul  and  aeceptabie  saeritlee,  t;s  Uifiii  hast  lieretcfore 
preparotd,  often  levealed,  and  t.ow  fnlfi'le*!,  most  (aitiiiul  God  who  canst 
iio'.  lie.  VViierelbre  tor  all  lliinss  I  praise  thee,  I  bl.ss  tiu'c.  I  glordy 
t!)ee,  tiir'>oa;li  tiie  tverl.istina;  Hi;i;h  Trif  st,  Jesus  Christ  thy  w'ell  b(  ioved 
Sun,  to  wiioiii,  with  thee  and  tiie  Holy  Giiost.  be  all  glory,  world  v'.th'ot 
end,  Amen."  When  he  lud  pioaoimced  this  Amen,  auu  finished  his  (lay- 
er, the  executioners  set  the  p;:e  on  fire.  The  flasne  vehemently  I'.siied 
about,  framing  itself  after  the  ibrin  ofavanltoi  sail  of  a  shi[»  vvith  the 
blustering  blasts  of  wind,  compassed  the  body  of  thv;  Martyr  within  placed, 
as  with  a  \vali :  and  thai  which  was  in  the  midst  of  the  same,  seemed  to 
our  senses  a  fragrant  and  swc-jt  smell,  as  of  fraidDC -nse,  or  some  such 
like  precious  peifnme.  At  lengih  when  the  cruel  pei  -ecutors  perceived 
the  fire  not  lo  cousnaie  his  body,  they  called  for  a  tormentor  and  gave 
him  charge  to  lance  bun  in  llie  side  with  a  spear  :  w  hlch  when  lie  had  (l.)ne» 
such  a  streaJD  of  blood  issued  out  of  his  body,  that  the  fire  was  therewith 
quenched,  so  that  the  whole  multitude  marvelled.  The  centurion  caused  the 
body  to  be  laid  in  the  midst,  after  their  accustomed  manner,  to  be  biuiied. 
Thus  it  bappeiied  unto  Poiyearp  that  was  martyred  at  Smyrna,  togethef 
with  twelve  others   out  id"  Philadelphia. 

The  servants  of  Christ,  sojourning  in  Vieime  and  Lynns  in  France, 
to  the  brelhren  in  Asia  Piopria  and  i^hri/qia,  ,tho  hive  the  same  faith  and 
hope  of  redemption  with  J's,  peace  and  glory  and  grace  from  Cod  the  Father 
and  Christ  Jesus  our  Lprd. 

We  are  not  competent  to  describe  with  accuracy,  nor  is  it  hi  our  power 
to  express  the  greatness  of  the  afllirtion  sustained  here  by  the  saints,  the 
intense  animosity  of  the  hcalheu  against  them,  and  the  complicated  sufier- 
jngs  of  the  blessed  martyrs.  The  grand  em  my  assaulted  us  with  all  hs 
might,  and  by  Ids  first  essays  exhibited  int'-nfious  of  exercising  malice 
irithout  controul.  He  left  no  method  untried  to  habituate  his  slaves  tu  his 
bloody  work,  and  to  prepare  them  by  previous  exc,-civ(  s  agiiu'^t  tlu-  ser- 
vants of  God.  Christians  were  absniuttiy  proliibited  from  appearing  in 
any  houses,  except  their  own,  iu  baths,  in  the  market,  or  in  any  pia-o 
v,-!iateTer.  The  grace  of  God  howevea-  fought  for  us,  preserving  the  wra>-, 
and  exposing  the  strong,  who  like  pillars  were  abb;  l>  withstand  hiio  i!i 
patience,  and  (o  draw  the  whole  fury  of  the  wicked  against  themsi-'lves. 
These  entered  into  the  contest  sustaining  every  species  of  p:iiL,aud  re- 
proach. What  was  heavy  fo  others,  to  them  was  liiiht.  while  ^ey  .vere 
fasteuing  to  Christ,  eviaciug  indeed,  that  "the  sufferiu£s  of  tfcis  present 


10  APPEIhDIX. 

tiino  are  not  worthy  to  be  com|nrcd  with  the  glory  that  shall  be  revealed 
ill  lis."  Tlif  first  trinl  was  Irom  the  people  at  large;  shouts,  blows,  the 
dr;i2:Jiii)g  ol' tiieir  bodies,  t!)P  plundnrins;  of  tlu-ir  goods,  casting  orstooe^, 
a')(l  (III'  coifinint  orilitin  v.ilhii)  their  own  houses,  anrl  all  thp  indignities 
»vliicli  may  Uo  exjx'ctci!  IVom  a  fierce  and  oiitraKcrtiis  multitude,  these  ner<'. 
magnanimously  sustaiiipd.  And  now  being  led  into  the  forum  by  the 
tribune  and  the  nii^isiat-^s,  they  were  examined  before  all  the  people, 
wiicth  r  they  were  cliristians,  and  ou  pleading  guilty,  were  shut  up  v.\ 
pri>-iin  till  the  arrival  of  the  governor  Bef.re  him  they  were  at  lenirtb 
br.'nght.  a;i  I  he  trpated  thtni  with  great  -avageness  of  manners.  The 
spirit  of  Vrttiu«  Fpagatlius,  one  ot  the  bntiiren  was  roused;  a  man  full  of 
charily  both  to  God  and  man,  whose  conduct  was  so  exemplary,  though 
but  -I  youti-,  that  Up  might  ^^ejiistl)  compared  to  old  Z.ieharias  ;  fyr  lie 
waike(l  in  all  the  coiriijimiiments  and  ordinancos  of  the  Lord  blameless,  a 
man  ever  unwearied  in  a<"ts  of  lieneficence  to  hisneiiilibours,  full  of  zeal  to- 
wirilsGod.  and  firvciit  in  spirit.  He  could  not  bear  to  see  so  manifest 
a  p»  rv-Tsiou  of  ju  t  ce  ;  l,ut  being  moved  with  indignation,  he  demanded 
to  be  \w.\»\  in  b'-iia  f  of  h  brethren,  and  pledged  hiuiselfto  prove  that 
tlif  re  was  nothing  atlieisi  cal  or  impious  among  them  ;  those  about  the  tribu- 
nal shoiiiiiig  ugaui't  liiM,  lor  he  was  a  man  of  quality,  and  the  governor  being 
impUitni  of  .so  «cjuital)le  a  demand,  aud  only  asking  him  if  he  were  a 
christian,  and  he  confe.ssiug  in  tiieinost  o^en  manner,  the  consequence 
was,  1  hit  he  wu*  ranked  among  the  martyrs.  He  was  called  indeed  the 
ad  vacate  of  iht>  chri-lians  ;  but  he  had  an  advocate  within,  the 
Ho!v  Spirit,  more  abundantly  tii m  Zacharias,  which  he  demonstrated 
b>  the  'ulnesH  of  hi-^  charity,  cheer;"ully  laying  down  his  life  in  defence  of 
his  brethn-n  ;  for  he  was,  \\u\  is  still  a  genuine  disciple  of  Christ,  tbilowing 
the  Lamb  whithersoever  he  goeth.  The  rest  began  now  to  be  distinguished. 
The  capit  I  mat  I  vrs  appeared  indeed  ready  for  the  contest,  aud  discharged 
their  part  with  ail  alacri'y  of  mind.  Others  appeared  also  unready,  une.Y- 
ercised,  and  as  ycl  weak,  unable  to  sustain  the  shock  of  such  a  contest: 
of  these,  ten  in  number  lapsed,  whose  case  filled  us  with  great  grief  and 
unracasuidble  sorrow,  and  dejected  the  spirit)»  of  those  who  had  not  yet 
been  appnhended  ;  who,  though  they  sustained  all  indignities,  yet  deserted 
not  the  m.irtyrs  in  their  distress.  Then  we  weie  all  much  alainud,  be- 
cause ol'  the  uncertain  event  of  confession,  not  that  we  dreaded  the 
torments  with  vvliicli  we  were  threatened,  but  because  we  looked  forward 
unto  the  rnd.  and  feared  the  danger  of  apostacy.  Persons  were  now  ap- 
prt  bended  daily  of  such  as  wee  counted  worthy  to  fdl  up  the  niunber  of  the 
lapse, 1.  so  that  the  most  excellent  were  selected  from  the  two  churches, 
even  hose  by  whose  lab  ur  they  had  been  founded  and  established. 
Th'ie  vvf^re  seized  at  t!ie  sa:ne  tiniesom'  ol  our  heathen  servants,  for  the 
governor  had  openly  or<)ered  us  all  to  be  songlit  lor,  who  by  the  impulse  o! 
Satan,  learin^i  the  lorn)ents  whici  they  saw  infJicted  on  the  saints,  on  the 
suiisestion  of  the  .soldiers,  accused  us  of  eating  hu  ;  an  flesh,  and  of  unnatu- 
ral mixtures,  and  of  things  not  fit  even  to  be  mentioned  or  imagined, 
an-i  such  as  ought  not  to  be  believed  of  mankind.  These  things  being 
divulg»d.  all  Wire  ineenserl  even  to  madness  against  us;  so  that  if  some 
were  formuly  more  moderate  on  account  of  any  connections  of  blond, 
affinity  or  frieti  Iship.  tliey  were  then  transported  beyond  all  boinils  with 
indignation.  IVow  it  was  that  our  Lord's  word  was  fulfilled,  *' the  time 
will  come  whin  whosoever  killeth  you  will  think  that  hedoeth  God  service." 
The  holv  martyrs  now  sustained  tortures  which  exceed  the  powers  of  de. 
scription;  S.itan  labouring  by  nxsans  ol  them,  to  extort  something  slander- 
ous to  rbristi.ioily.  The  »vhole  fury  of  the  umlliliide,  the  governor  aud 
the  soldiers,  was  spent  io  a  particular  mauuer  ou  Sauctus  of  Vieone,  the 


APPENDIX.  li 

deacon,  aud  oa  Matiirns  a  hte  convert  indeed,  but  a  lna2,nanimous 
vvrc«tlRr,  and  on  Atralus  of  Per2;amiis.  a  man  uhi  harl  over  hprn  the 
pillar  and  support  of  onr  c'liurch,  and  on  Blandini.  Ihrong.'i  whoia  Chi ist 
shewed,  that  those  thinics  tliat  appear  iiu'sightly  and  co  Ueinptihle  unong 
men,  are  most  honourable  in  the  preseiicp.  n>  Gnd,  on  arco^ial  o|'  love  to 
his  name  exhibited  in  real  energy,  and  not  hoastii)!^  in  pamuoii^  prptedi-es. 
For  while  we  all  feared,  and  among  the  rest  fir;-  mistress  accoidin::  to  the 
flesh,  heiself one  of  the  noble  army  of  mjrtyrs,  t\  ts  airaid  that  she  would 
liot  be  able  to  witness  a  good  confession,  because  o!'  ihc  weakness  of  her 
body,  Blandina  was  endued  with  so  much  fortitude,  tbdt  those  wiio  succes- 
sively toi  tnred  her  from  morning  to  night,  were  quite  worn  out  with  f.uiine, 
and  owned  themselves  conquered  and  exhausted  of  their  whole  ajipiratiis 
of  tortures,  and  were  amazed  to  see  her  still  breathing,  whilst  h<'r  body 
was  torn  and  laid  open,  aud  confessed  that  one  species  of  torture  had  been 
sutticient  to  despatch  her,  much  more  so  great  a  variety  .as  had  been  appi  ed. 
But  the  blessed  woman,  as  a  generous  ivr,..iipr  't>povered  fresh  vigour  in 
the  act  of  eoni'ession  ;  and  it  was  an  ;v  .  nt.  support,  and  an 

annihilation  of  ail  her  pains  to  say,  "  ..  ■..     .  ;  ..  a'ld  no  evil  is  com- 

■sniited  amons  ««■" 

In  the  mean  time  Sanctns,  having  sn'^tairied  in  a  m. inner  more  than 
human,  the  most  barbarous  indignities,  while  the  impious  hoped  to  extort 
something  from  him  injurious  to  the  gospel,  from  the  duration  and  intense- 
uess  Off  his  suSTerings,  resisted  with  so  much  firmuess  thiC  hf  w  )u!d  neitiier 
tell  his  own  name  nor  that  of  his  nation  or  state,  tior  whethei-  he  was  a 
freeman  or  a  slave;  but  to  every  interrogatory  he  answered  in  Litin.  '•  lam 
a  christian.''''  This  he  repeatedly  owned  was  to  him  both  name,  and  state, 
and  race,  and  every  thing;  and  nothing  else,  eou!d  the  h.athf  ndr.iw  from 
him.  Hence  the  indignation  of  the  governor  and  torfnreis  w;is  fiercely 
levelled  against  him,  so  that  having  exhausted  all  the  usual  mi-tho.is  oi  tor- 
lure,  they  at  last  fixed  brazen  plates  to  the  most  tfuder  parts  oi' his  body. 
These  were  scorched  of  conrie,  and  yet  he  r?  m:iined  upriglit  aiKi  inO'  xihle, 
firm  in  hisconfessio.'i,  being  bedewed  and  reiie^'itd  Irom  the  her'Vt  niy  foun- 
tain of  the  water  of  lile.  His  body  witnessed  indeed  the  ghastly  tortures 
which  be  had  sustained,  being  one  continued  wound  and  bruise,  alto- 
gether contracted  aud  no  longer  retaining  the  lorm  of  a  human  creature ; 
in  whom  Christ  suffering  wrought  great  wonders  confounding  the  ad\ «  r^ary. 
and  shewing  for  tlie  enconragemeut  of  the  re>t,  that  nothing  is  to  be  feared 
where  the  love  of  the  Father  is  :  nothing  palnfiii  where  the  glory  oi  Chi  ist 
is  exhibited.  For  while  the  impious  imagined,  wiien  after  some  days  they 
renewed  his  tortures,  that  a  fresh  application  of  Ih;-  same  methods  of  pun- 
ishment to  his  \vounds,  now  swcdien  and  inOained,  must  either  ovei come 
bis  constancy,  or  by  despatciiing  liim  on  the  spot,  strike  a  terror  into  the 
rest,  as  he  could  not  even  bear  to  be  touched  by  the  hand,  this  was  so  far 
from  being  the  case,  that  contrary  to  all  expectation,  his  body  recovered 
its  natural  position  in  the  second  course  of  toiture  ;  he  was  restored  to  his 
former  shape  and  the  use  of  his  limbs;  so  that  by  tlie  grace  of  Christ,  it 
proved  not  a  punishment  but  a  cure  ! 

Biblias,  a  woman  who  had  denied  Christ,  was  led  to  the  torture,  and 
though  at  first  she  accused  the  christians  of  horrid  impieties,  yet  in  the 
midst  of  her  tortures,  being  admonisl)ed,  by  a  temporary  punishment  of 
the  danger  of  ettrnal  fire  in  hell,  she  recovered  from  her  apostacy,  pro- 
fessed  herself  a  christian,  and  was  added  to  the  army  of  martyrs. 

Many  christians  were  thrust  into  the  darkest  and  mast  noisome  parts  of 
the  prison,  where  they  suffered  all  the  indignities  which  diabi)!ical  irial  ce 
could  inflict.  Many  were  suffocated.  Othcis  t!)ongh  greatly  afllicted, 
remained  a.live,  strengthened  by  the  Lord,  and  comforted  and  encouraged 
one  another  to  constaacv  in  the  christian  faith. 


12  AVPL^mx. 

Pothina*!.  bhliop  nl'Lvons,  np'vards  of  niacts  years  of  age,  very  iiiflrm 
and  astliiriatic.  pan(i;ig  attrr  in;ii!yi(loin  was  caiieil  to  slifier.  Aster  a 
g!«'at  variety  olabjise    Iiotli  Crom  lliR  pnj.u!ai-e  and  the  magistrates  be  ■>vn'< 

UiioHo  into  prison  anfl  alter  two  d;iys  «xpire'l. 

Those  who  bad  iltnied  Ctirist,  were  not  hy  tlu;ir  dtnia!  olltiin  exempt  from 
persecntioii.  But  in  tlieir  siiniciing;*,  llwy  had  not  tlie  support^,  Hhieli  ciiii  r; 
i\ho  stood  firm  ia  llie  tiiith,  experienced.  They  went  to  txeeulioii  » ill! 
jiuilt  depicted  in  theii  cnnntenaiues.  dejeeted,  spiritless  and'  Ibrlorn. 
The  heathen  insulted  tijern  as  coward*  and  poltroons  and  treated  them  as 
niurdrrers  ;  tlius  seeking  to  save  their  lives  they  lost  them,  and  failed 
of  receiving  the  consolations  of  the  relieion  whi<h  they  had  renotineed. 

The  heathen  denied  tlie  rites  of  interment  to  those  who  si;flercd  inar- 
tyidom.  After  havjuo;  treated  them  with  many  iiMlignilies,  they  burnt 
tlicm  to  ashes,  anil  to  prevent  th'ir  resurrrction,  and  lo  deter  others  Irom 
tlie  h'.pe  of  a  iiitnre  liie,  east  their  ashes  into  the  river  Rhone  ;  adding, 
"  Now  let  us  see  i!  they  wiii  rise  again,  aijii  if  their  God  can  help  them  an4 
deliver  them  out  of  onr  hands." 

Thcjol  oning  biogrcphual  notice  i?.  an  Jpj)fndix  to  thejirst  section 
of  Lec'.ure  IV.     Page  70. 

Famphilns  was  born  ^t  Bnrytus  about  the  year  294.  Having  made  some 
progress  in  literature  in  his  native  city,  he  went  to  Alexandria  to»com- 
plete  his  studi  s  ;  Ihenee  he  removed  to  Ca.sarea  where  he  resided  the 
grejftest  part  of  his  life,  which  was  the  principal  witoess  of  his  glorious 
career.  He  had  not  dv.elt  long  at  Csesarea  beioie  his  piety  and  clnl^tian 
virtues  shone  so  vigorously,  as  to  lead  the  church  of  that  place  to  elect  him- 
as  one  of  its  Presbyters.  Here  it  was  that  he  forn)ed  that  intimate  friendship 
with  Eusehin!5,  the  iMicIesiastical  Historian.  *vhich  ran  parelle!  with  lity. 
and  whicii  caused  I  hem  to  concentiute  their  forces  in  opposing  the  blind 
superstition  oi  Paganism,  and  in  disseminating  the  knoH  ledge  of  Christianity 
thrnnghoui  the  sphere  of  their  exertion. 

Out  interesting  part  oi  the  character  of  PamphiUis  undoubtedly  consisted 
in  his  attachment  to  Biblical  literature.  Of  this  we  have  several  valid 
testiuionif  s  ;  »•  Pantphihis  had,"  says  Jei^ome,  "  such  an  aflection  lor  a 
•livine  «.r  i  rclc^i.isiica!  Iii)rary,  that  lie  wrote  out  with  his  own  hand  the 
guatf-t  I  it  ol  Oiifien's  uoiks.  .which  are  still  in  (he  library  of  Cnpsarea  ; 
an<i  hi  si  es  i  have  met.*  adds  he,  "  witji  twenly-fivo  volumes  of  Origen's 
Cdirniie'  (a'v  upon  the  Prophets  ^n  his  own  hand  writing,  which  I  value 
and  k:epa~  though  I  had  the  riches  ot  Cr(EMiv."  The  same  writer  quotes 
EiiNt  biu<,is  saying  that  Paniphilns  *'dilii:i  ntly  read  the  works  of  the  ancient 
authors,  and  oonliim.dly  meditated  upon  them." 

Tl  e  Caesarian  library  which  Jerome  takes  notice  of,  was  founded  b^ 
Pauiphiius  himself.  Isidore  of  Seville  informs  ns,  that  it  contained  no 
le^s  than  30. 000  volumes.  By  this  information  we  are  at  once  taught  that 
Pamphiins  mu.st  have  poKst\>.Reri  vast  pecuniary  resources,  atul  an  ambition 
to  cfni-ieciatc  them  entirely  to  the  welfare  of  the  disciples  of  the  Kedecmer  ; 
for  we  have  full  authority  to  uftirm.  that  this  collection  of  books  was  niade 
merely  for  the  use  of  the  church  ;  and  to  lend  to  those  who  were  desirous 
of  being  instructed  in  the  grand  prinei[)h!s  ol'  Christianity.  And  this  is  as 
Dr.  A.  Clark  observes,  'tlie  first  notice  we  have  of  a  circulating  library 
being  established.'  Nor  was  the  benevolr nl  and  philanthropic  spirit  of 
this  emirent  man  to  he  less  arlmired.  His  hand  was  always  opened  for  the 
relief  of  the  necessitous,  ami  Ins  heart  ever  re.idy  to  sympathize  with  the 
tsisernble.  If  he  .siw  my  emb.irrascd  in  Iheir  temporal  afl'airs,  he  gave 
bountifully  of  bis  sabstvjace  to  relieve  them.    He  devoted  a  considerable    ■ 


APPENDIX.  13 

portion  of  his  property  to  these  charitabJe  purposes,  and  lived  himsflfin 
thf!  iTiost  abstemious  manner,  to  render  his  ability  tiis  greater.  One  of  the 
inooncrientsoj  his  benevolence  >vas  the  school  which  he  established  at  C'<e- 
sarca,  for  the  dee  e(uication  ol  youth.  IVo  materials  remain  to  enal)ie  us  to 
give  (he  plan  or  slate  ihfi  success  of  this  academy  ;  but.  liiat  there  wm^  a 
considerable  one  Ixnned  by  his  generosity,  is  attested  by  the  united 
authorities  oi  Cave,  Fabiiis,  and  Tillemont. 

But  the  most  promhieut  feature  in  the  charscier  of  Pairphilus,  douit- 
Jess,  was  his  st"ong  atiachmeiit  to  '  the  oracles  of  God,'  and  his  earnest 
«i)<!£avours  to  propagate  them.  lu  the  accomplishment  of  this  noble  desizn, 
all  the  energies  ot  his  mind  were  united,  and  his  labours  were  indtl'atigablff. 
'  ile  not  only  lent  out.'  says  Eusebius,  '  copies  of  the  sacred  Scriptrres 
to  be  read,  but  cheerfuUy  gave  them  to  be  kept  by  those  whom  he  foiiud 
disposed  to  readthcni;  lor  which  reason  he  took  care  to  have  by  him 
many  copies  of  the  Scriptures,  some  of  which  were  transcribed  with  his 
own  hand,  that  wiieu  thtre  should  bo  occasion  he  might  furnish  those  vr!;o 
were  wiiliujE;  io  make  use.  of  them  '  Such  was  the  employment,  and  such 
wevfi  the  delights  of  this  amiable  man  !  Is  it  not  to  be  wjslied  that  mary 
who  possess,  perhaps,  as  great  an  ability  for  action,  were  aiming  at  .ii-j 
grand  an  object  as  Piimphiius?  But  another  fact,  illustrative  of  this  parf 
of  his  cliar.ictcr,  is  too  notorious  to  be  passed  over,  through  his 
having  publisiisd  by  the  assistance  ot  Eusebius,  a  correct  edition  of  Lie 
Septnatfiitt  froiSi  Origeti's  Uexapla.  Uncoubtedly,  this  was  of  peculiar 
advaut,tgeto  the  church  of  Christ  ;  the  benefit  ol  Origen's  immense  labour 
was  rendered  more  extensive  ;  and  if  this  edition  was  not  the  first  separate 
oue,  it  was  certainly  the  most  exact.  This  was  called  the  Palestine  edi- 
tion ;  and  was  in  genaral  use  from  Antioch  to  Egypt,  as  that  of  Lnciaa 
was  froiii  Antioch  to  Conslantinople,  and  that  of  Hesychius  in  Egypt. 

But  a  character  so  active  iii  the  divine  cause  of  Christianity,  and  likely 
to  do  so  much  injury  to  Pagan  superstition,  c<vdd  not  expect  to  pas3 
through  the  world  tree  frooi  persecuiion.  '  A  city  set  upon  a  hill  cannot 
he  hid.'  A  glow  worm  ray  be  seen  but  by  lew  ;  but  a  star  is  exposed  to 
the  sight  of  all  Bu:  althougii  Pamphiliis  must  have  been  well  aware  o{ 
the  dangers  to  which  his  exertions  exposed  him  in  such  a  period  (ifscver« 
persecntion,  yet  tlie  intrepidity  of  his  mind  and  the  goodness  of  his  cause, 
tauzht  him  to  brave  all  opposition,  and  to  relinquish  his  uselulness  only 
witii  his  life  !  H"  was  frequently  brought  bpfore  the  civil  tribunal,  and  a'^ 
frequently  he  witnessed  -a  good  coolession.'  On  these  occasions,  the 
eraineacy  of  his  station  and  the  puritv  of  his  character  proved  a  temporary 
re(Ui!;e;  but  at  ieuglh  he  was  brought  before  Urbanus,  who  '  having  fust 
made,'  says  Eusebius,  •  trial  of  his  knowledge  by  divers  questions  of 
rhetoric  and  philosophy,  as  well  as  of  polite  literature,  required  him  to 
sacrifice.  Wlien  he  saw  that  Pamplsiins  refused  to  obey  his  orders,  and 
despised  all  his  thieitenings,  he  comin-.'jded  diat  he  shoidd  be  tortured  in 
the  severest  manm-r.  When  he  !iad  again  and  again  torn  his  sides  with  his 
toiinenting  irons,  the  cruel  wretch,  be  102:  as  it  were  satiated  witl^  bis  flesh, 
thougli  he  had  gained  nothing  bu  vexation  and  dishonour,  ordered  him  tn 
coufiuement  in  prison.'  A'tpi  havins:  lain  in  this  dungeon  for  a  year  and 
some  monlhs,  he  was  Cidtei'  to  receive  the  crown  of  martyrdom,  and  thus 
to  Si  al  by  his  death,  those  truths  which  it  had  been  his  chief  concern  to 
propagate  by  itis  lite. 

How  many  pleasmg  refiectioiis  does  the  contemplation  of  such  a  character 
aflTorn  us  ! 

1  Hovv  fastly  superior  is  Christianity  to  Paganism,  and  to  all  other 
systems  !  Have  we  f  rt<  n  beheld  its  high  supremacy  in  point  of  Theory, — 
here  we   niay  behold  its  iDtinite  superiority  in  point  of  ]r)Jiuence\      In     ■ 


14  APPENPiX, 

Pampliiins  we  see  an  iii.iiTidua!  coii<;epr;itius  all  his  properfy  tor  the  valief 
or  the  necessities  oT  tliR  poor  ;  exertiii!^  :il|  the  powor- of  iiis  mii!  1  in  re- 
moving the  nieoUil  (Jarkii'-ss  01  rnani^ijHl.  and  in  piom.itins  tlwir  l).-^t  i.ite- 
rtsls;  disregarding  all  the  honours  ot  the  won. I,  a^d  leUiiquis  .ms  <  v.  ry 
Ihiag  which  was  counter  to  his  benevolent  purpose  ;  all  this  lu-  did  f  cm 
the  purest  motives,  and  without  noise  and  ostentation  ;  and  at  |-.st  he 
eheerlnlly  resigned  his  lid- rather  than  disown  those  prifioiples  bv  wincn  he 
iiad  hitherto  been  conducted. — Christianity  defies  Heathenisln  lo  -;ive 
such  an  instance  of  pnie  benevolence. 

2.  Whiitan  excitement  should  such  an  example  be  to  modern  rinislians  ! 
Did  Paiaphiius  manilestan  nnconq!i,rabli-  iu  icli'm  nl  to  Hk;  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ?  Did  he  act  so  extensively  (or  truth,  an'l  etlict  so  iniiiii^iood  in 
opposition  to  ail  the  difficulties  which  then  pre-^enled  them^(•lves  ?~  Wig 
lie  'Steady  to  bis  purpose,'  ntider  all  the  opposition  he  had  to  cope  with  ? 

Did  he  devote  all  he  possessed  to  the  service  ol' so  gloiious  an  inteiest  ? 

and  shall  not  we  "  go  and  do  likewise  ?"  Shall  w.-  be  content  bv  merely 
admiring  his  conduct,  without  treading  in  his  steps  ? 

F//.  Page  72.     The  origin  of  Councils,  from  Moshchn. 

-•'  Dining  a  great  part  of  the  second  century,  the  churclieN  were  indepen- 
dent of  each  other ;  nor  were  they  joined  together  by  as<ociati.»n.  confede- 
racy, or  any  other  bonds  but  those  oi  charity!  Kac.h  assembly  was  a  little 
state,  governed  by  its  own  laws  ;  which  were  either  enac(( d.  or  ,it  least 
approved  of,  by  the  society.  But  in  process  of  lime,  all  the  christian 
Churches  of  a  province  were  formed  into  one  large  ecciesiisiical  body  ; 
which  like  confederate  states,  assembled  at  certain  linns,  in  order  to 
deliberate  about  the  common  interests  of  the  wholH.  This  i.islitulion  had 
its  origin  among  the  Greeks  ;  but  in  a  sliort  time  it  became  imivrrsal ;  .^nd 
simila'r  assembfies  were  formed  in  all  places  where  the  gospel  had  been 
planted.  These  assemblies,  which  consisted  of  the  deputies  from  >.everal 
ohnrcbes  were  called  Synods  by  the  Greeks,  and  CrMncils  by  the  Latins  ; 
and  the  taws  enacted  in  these  genera!  meetings  we;  e  caliod  mnnns,  Ihati.s, 
rules.  These  councils,  of  which  we  find  not  the  smallest  trace  before 
the  middle  of  the  second  centmy,  changed  the  face  ol  the  whole  clnirch, 
and  gave  it  a  new  form  ;  for  by  them  the  ancient  privilpgcs  of  the  people 
were  considerably  diminished",  and  the  power  and  authority  of  the  bishops 
greatly  auamented.  Tlie  humility  indeed,  and  tb<  prudence  of  these 
pious  prelates,  hindered  them  from  assuming  ail  at  once,  the  j)ower  with 
which  they  were  afterwards  invested.  At  their  first  appearance  in  lii.'se 
general  councils,  they  acknowledged  that  they  were  no  more  than  the 
delegates  of  their  respective  churches  ;  and  that  they  acted  in  the  name 
and  by  the  appointment  of  their  people.  But  they  soon  changed  this 
humble  tone  ;  imperceptibly  extended  the  limits  of  their  authority;  tur- 
ned their  influence  into  dominion,  and  their  counsels  into  laws  ;  :\nd 
at  length  openly  asserted,  that  Christ  had  empowered  them  to  prescribe 
to  his  people  auihoriiative  rules   of  faith  and  manners." 

nil.  Page  124.     Relics. 

Among  other  circmnstances  of  this  kind  upon  record,  the  following 
will  amply  exhibit  the  true  nature  and  extent  of  the  superstitious  excesses 
then  so  prevalent  and  universal.  The  possession  of  one  of  a  fictitious 
Virgin's  teeth  called  St.  Apollonia,  was  proclaimed  to  be  an  infallible 
preservative  against  all  the  <;omplaiuts  incident  to  the  gums,  and  a  certain 
antidote  both  to  the  decay  and  loss  of  the  teeth.     Nothing  less  than  that 


APPENDIX.  15 

^\'mc.h  happened  could  have  been  aniiiipated.  At  first  osie  tooth  only 
was  io  '  t'ouiu!  mdsi  soltmnly  dv^positc!  nud  mo=t  s;iciTdly  snarded  in  the 
utrii;-t  mi;.fniiiceiict"  iii  sudu  principal  and  very  distiint  Cathtdr.il;  but  in  a 
siKitt  lime  they  li  -J  been  so  miiKiplied  by  miracles,  as  the  Monks  and  Friars 
irlio  sol  them  'mpuilently  voeitVrat<nl.  that  every  person  who  could 
afforn  the  prie  o!  so  iin  slimaMe  an  amnlet.  wore  one  appended  to  his  neck. 
One  o;  {hi  Bistops,  Hliell'<r  troin  envy  at  the  gains,  to  make  an  expo«;ure. 
ot  ti  n:  ;i.  rv  by  an  experiment;  or  iVom  christian  indigrnation  at  this 
ilJ!  ;  111  Mu  rv .  io  ridienle  its  silliness,  directed,  that  al!  the  oivnes-s  of 
th-  :  '■  ;,  !.!!in(  teelii  within  his  diocess,  shouid  deposit  tiiem  under  his 
iy.'',i  :  z  c,  II  j^iioi  to  sonie  specdieci  day.  Al  the  time  appointed,  (he 
nia>s  u.is  measnreil.  and  in  one  mi  all  distret  only,  to  the  Saint  warappro- 
pn. !.<<'.  i!o  less  than  Ihr' e  bnsheis  of  Teeth,  including  the  tenants  of  the 
nue.iih  which  api<rti!in  t  all  the  usual  domestic  animals.  This  discovery 
desiiovf  d  all  confidence  in  Ihi  Saint  and  her  relics,  and  the  cullicg  of 
tc».  li.  wu- displaced  lor  some  other  absurdity,  not  less  contemptible  ia  the 
inlotiiuted  oevotte,  and  net  less  p/olilable  to  the  depraved  and  artftil 
Moiik. 

IX.  Page  196.     Relics  and  False  Miracles. 

The  cheat  of  pretended  Relics  is  vreil  known  :  for  ivhereas  BaronJHS 
coiitesses  th<  re  i\ere  not  above  lour  nails  of  the  cross  in  all,  they  prodsice 
several  hnui  reds  of  them.  And  because  they  know  they  can  be  bold  witli 
the  silly  people,  Ihe  Archbishop  ol  ^kntz  bragged  that  he  had  the 
Fiam  ui  the  Bnsli  that  Moses  beheld  burning'  :  and  a  Leg  of  the  Ass  ou 
wiiicl:  Christ  rode  into  Jerusalem  was  given  by  a  Priest  of  Rome  to  a 
DutcliiiKUi.  Most  of  llie  Itomish  samts  are  a  cheat,  and  they  do  but  blusii 
in  the  Red  Letters  in  the  Calendar  And  some  of  those  who  have  the 
gk'iious  tide  of  Saints  bestowed  upon  them,  scarcely  deserve  the  name  of 
Men.  But  what  said  th'  Cardinal  Legate  when  lie  came  to  bestow  his 
blessing  upon  the  peopl'  that  came  to  see  him.  and  when  he  took  notice 
of  their  blin.l  devotion  and  bigotry  ?  Ij  the  people  mill  be  deceived^  let 
them  be  deceived,  in  God's  Name.  Tiiey  weie  pleased  with  the  cheat, 
and  a  is  int  to.be  questioned  that  he  was  so  too. 

St.  Anthony  ,  yon  must  know,  has  a  great  command  over  fire,  and  a 
power  of  destroying  by  flashes  oflhat  element,  those  who  incur  his  displea- 
sure. -A  certain  monk  oi  St,  Anthony,  one  day  assembled  his  congregation 
nndrr  a  tree,  where  a  m  ffj  ie  had  bnilt  her  nesf,  into  which  he  Ibund 
me.ins  to  convey  a  small  box  fdltd  with  gunpowder,  and  out  of  the  box 
hunu' a  lona  thin  iiiatcb  that  was  to  bum  slowly,  and  was  hidden  among 
the  jt  aves  ot  the  tree.  As  soon  as  the  monk  or  his  assistant  had  touched 
the  mat:  b  nilh  a  lighted  coal,  he  began  his  sermon,  in  the  meanwhile, 
the  m.  gpie  returned  to  Ik  r  nest,  anc!  finding  in  it  a  strange  body  which  she 
could  not  remove,  she  fell  i  ito  a  passon.  and  began  to  scratch  «ith  her 
feet  and  to  chatter  n.ost  nnmerciUiliy.  The  friar  affected  to  hear  her 
without  emotion,  and  continued  his  sermon  with  great  composure,  only 
he  ivoidfi  now  and  then  ii(t  up  his  eyes  towards  the  top  of  the  tree,  as  if 
he  wanted  to  see  what  wa^  the  uiattei.  At  last,  when  he  judged  ibe 
niateh  was  near  rea<  bing  the  eunpow<'er,  he  pretended  to  be  quite  out  of 
patience;  he  cursed  the  magpie,  and  wished  St.  Anthony's  fire  might 
consiune  her,  and  went  on  again  with  his  sermon  ;  but  had  scarcely  pro- 
nonnced  two  or  thret  perioiis,  when  the  match  on  a  su<  den  produced  its 
eflects,  and  blew  np  th(  magpie  with  its  nest  ;  which  miracle  wonderfully 
raised  the  character  of  the  Friar,  an<i  proved  afterwards  very  beueficial  to 
him  and  to  bis  conveot. 


APPENDIX. 

"llicfoUonmg  is  an  Jppeniix  to  the  third  section  oj  Lecture  XL  Vage  25*. 

The  awful  conseq,ue.\ces  of  Papai,  influence  a.\d  Papal  i:iJiiiN'iON. 

Prnh  Dohr  !  hos  tolerare  potest  Ecdesia  Porcis 
Duntaxat  f^entri,  Veneri,  Soinnvquc,  vacantcs  '> 

Have  ynu  never  seen  a  Drone  possess  at  ease 
if'kal  mould  pvovidej'or  ten  industrious  Bees  ? 

It  is  atuazins;  that  the  Christian  rej/gion,  n  hose  charactrristic  is  love  iinrt 
humility,  should  be  so  far  debased,  a^  to  rarry  do  other  marks  tiiiiii'those 
oi' cruelty  and  prido  ;  that  vows  of  poverty  should  entitle  men  lo  the 
rklus  of  the  whole  world  ;  that  proiessions  oC chastity  should  fill  eoiintrieh 
\vit!»  iintleanness  ;  that  solitary  Anchorites  should  euo;ross  the  po!!)j)«;  ot 
the  city  ;  and  that  the  servant  of  sei  vants  should  l)evoine  the  king  ot 
kings  !  but  what  contradictions  are  not  (fesignins:  men  capable  of,  when 
tlie  eRlarg;emfent  of  tlieir  power  is  in  view  ?  It  was  with  this  view 
that  auricular  confessions  were  introduced;  that  a  new  hell  ofpuixateiy 
was  invented;  and  the  power  ofcnatiiig  even  their  oun  Cod,  was  blas- 
'phcmously  assumed.  By  these  arts,  came  the  secrets  otli'niiiips  into  llie 
i^iuds  of  the  priests  ;  by  these  arts,  they  seized  r,»  the  purses  of  vvliolt 
nations;  and  by  these  arts  they  arrived  to  be  idols  ol  the  people,  who 
were  glad  to  part  with  their  estates,  with  their  liberties,  and  their  senses 
too,  to  these  spiritual  usurpers. 

[S  Not  to  mention  the  follies  of  other  nations,  British  chronicles  oat; 
inform  us  to  what  a  degree  bigotry  had  once  prevaihii,  of  which  let  Ihi? 
instance  siidiee :  John  Bab,  an  author  of  unquestioned  fidelily,  n  lio 
was  liimsclfa  Carmelite  Iriar,  informs  us.  in  his  acts  of  luijrlish  Votarier, 
that  in  the  yeai'  1017,  king  Canute,  by  the  superstitious  counsel  of  Acliel- 
notus,  then  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  was  prevailed  npon  to  believe  that 
monks'  bastards  were  bis  own  children,  and  that  Fulberlus,  tlK  old  Bishop 
of  CarnntG  in  France,  was  even  then  snckhd  by  the  Virgin  Mary:  nor 
did  he  stop  here,  but  after  having  burdened  t!ie  land  with  the  payment  of 
that  Romish  tribute  called  Peter's  p<  nee,  he  ivent  to  Winchester,  where. 
l>y  the  atbrementioned  Bishop's  advice,  he  formally  resigned  his  regal 
crown  to  an  image,  constituting  it  then  king  of  England  ! 

Thus  was  a  mighty  king  converted  to  be  the  tool  of  his  Priests,  and 
thereby  became  the  darling  of  the  Church,  whose  practice  then  was,  not 
only  to  feed  ujon  the  spoils  of  the  people,  but  even  to  make  their  mon- 
arch a  prey  to  their  ambition  And  in  those  tiu»cs  a  prince  acquired  the 
title  of  good  or  bad,  not  from  bis  conduct  in  tiie  secular  goveinment  of 
bis  subjects,  but  according  as  he  was  eitlier  more  or  less,  a  promoter  of 
the  grandeur  of  bis  clergy.  Thus  Canute,  though  an  usurper  and  a  lyiunt 
could  merit  a  canonization;  whilst  king  John,  from  whom  was  r<c<  iv((-, 
lliat  great  security  oftneir  liberties,  the  Sfatut*' of  Magna  Cliarta.  nKnl- 
tor  not  encouraging  the  corruptions  and  s()irilnal  tyranny  of  the  Kini.  v' 
Church,  was  branded  with  the  name  of  Apostate,  and  forcid  at  leu;:tli  by 
an  usurping  Priesthood,  to  hold  ids  crown  as  tributary  to  the  see  of  Hume. 
When  the  kings  where  tiiiis  managed,  it  is  no  wonder  that  thr  laity  loilowcd 
their  example  submitting  their  necks  to   the  same  prirstly  yoke. 

The  reader  will  no  doubt,  be  curious  to  know,  bow  the  spiritual  so- 
cieties came  to  possess  su' h  prodigious  t«  inporal  estates  ;  for  the  amount 
of  the  property  owned  by  the  monks,  prior  to  the  Relbrmation,  included 
fiom  fourteen  to  iseventeen  parts  out  of  twenty  of  the  whole  land  of  the 
djflcrcut  nat'cus.    The  first  monks  we  read  of  \rcre  iu  the  middle  of  the 


APPENDIX.  17 

third  ceatnry  ;  men  whom  the  persecution  of  tiie  heathen  emperors  com- 
pelled to  live  iu  deserts,  and  vvho  being;  by  a  loiio;  course  ol' solitude,  ren- 
dered until  for  iiiiman  society,  chose  to  continue  in  their  monastic  way, 
even  after  the  iiuic  cawse  of  it  ceased. 

The  example  of  these  men  was  soon  followed  by  a  nnmber  of  crazy  devo- 
tees, who  were  so  ignorant  of  true  religion,  i«  to  think  that  their  way 
to  heaven  lay  through  wild  and  uninhabited  desnt';  and  who.  finding 
t/iat  they  had  not  cliarity  enough  to  observe  tlie  precept  of  Chnst,  /. 
"  loving  their  neighbour  as  themsf  hes,"  weie  resolved  to  I.im-  no 
neighbours  at  al' ;  tiicreby  frustrating  tiie  design  of  Christianity,  i^hich 
Mils  to  establish  tlie  goud  of  society. 

The  next  monks  were  a  set  of  Vvorthless,  but  ambitious  wretches,  who, 
having  nQ  way  of  making  lliemseives  iamous  in  the  world,  retired  out  of  it ; 
where  thtjy  reverenced  idle  ceremonies  of  lh<'ir  own  institution,  where  they 
pretended  conftrences  with  angels,  \villi  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  even  with 
God  Almighty  ;  not  unlike  Numa,  the  hi,^h-(jriesi  ol  the  heathen  Romish 
church,  wjio  abused  the  people  wth  sturtts  of  his  nightly  interviews  in  a 
cave  with  the  goddess  /Egeria.  At  lengtli,  these  holy  cheats,  to  gain  yet 
more  veneration,  began  to  practice  on  their  bodies  the  most  cruel  severities, 
till  at  last  they  were  worshipped  by  the  thoughtless  mob  as  saints  :  imitating 
in  some  measure,  the  example  of  that  he;ithen  monk,  Empedocles,  who, 
to  be  thought  a  God,  leapt  into,  the  bui  uing  mount  jEtna. 

After  this,  designing  men,  who  saw  how  great  an  influence  these  preten- 
ded Saints  had  over  mankind,  took  upon  themselves  tite  same  exterior  form 
of  godliness,  thereby  not  only  to  raise  an  empty  name,  as  the  former  had 
done,  but  to  enrich  themselves  at  the  expence  of  the  deluded  multitude. 
Fiom  hence  flowed  those  many  profitable  religious  maxims: — *'  that  to 
give  to  the  Church,  was  charity  towards  God.  and  as  such,  would  atone 
for  a  multitude  of  sins,  were  they  ever  so  heinous  . — that  the  church  was 
not  the  congregation  of  the  faithful,  as  St.  Paul  iancied  it  to  be,  but  the 
body  ol  the  priesls: — that  the  priest,  though  ever  so  like  the  devil,  was 
God's  representative,  and  ojight  to  be  honoured  as  such  : — that  tiiete  was 
such  a  place  as  purgatory,  and  that  the  prajiers  of  the  monks  like  Orpheus' 
harp,  was  the  only  music  that  could  mollify  the  tyrant  of  that  pl;\ce.  who 
beijig  their  very  good  friend,  would  release  a  poor  soul  at  any  tim<i  for 
their  sake  : — that*  whispering  all  secrets  iu  the  ear  of  a  priest,  wastlit  only 
cure  lor  a  sick  soul  : — that  every  priest  had  tlie  power  of  pardoning  all  sins 
except  those  only  which  were  committed  against  himself; — th  ii  i;  'ulgen- 
ces  purchased  in  fee,  could  entitle  a  man  and  his  heirs  to  merit  iK^.ven  by 
sinning  : — and  lastly,  that  the  priest  could  by  virtue  of  a  hocus  pocus, 
guit  scores  with  his  Creator  hy  creatrns  iiim."  These,  and  such  like 
money-catching  tenets,  soon  drew  the  whole  wealth  of  the  laity  into  the 
hands  of  these  contemners  of  the  world,  and  all  its  pomps  and  vanities  ; 
who  not  only  flourished  in  Egypt  and  Italy,  where  tinv  first  sprang  up,  but 
wtre  spread  thiough  all  Christendom,  and  began  quickly  to  vi;  in  power 
and  riches  with  the  greatest  monarchs,  even  in  tiuii  own  territi^rn  s,  till 
at  last,  kings  and  pruices  themselves,  were  proud  of  becoming  mciiks  and 
abbots. 

A  raini:te  detail  of  the  divers  religious  (^rders  which  swarm'M  in  all  parts 
of  Europe  is  unnecessary,  as  the  portraitiiie  t)fl!iose  who  <;  veined  and 
consumed  Britain  will  exhibit  a  correct  speiinien  c!  (he  whol    '■:  teruity. 

The  Benedictines. — The  first  of  these  tliat  pitv.ued,  was  tl;o  ord  .  of 
the  Benedictines,  av hose  rule  was  introduced  into  Britain  by  August:    ihe 

*  There  is  a  beast  mentioned  by  Pliny,  nhose  bite  can  only  be  cured  by 
.whispering  in  the  ear  of  an  ass. 

3 


18  APPENDIX. 

nioiiV.  i'l  the  year  596.  The  fhiuuier  of  thn  order' tra<:  St.  Bcnnrt.  who 
ill  his  own  lile  (irae  eiected  twelve  monasteries.  Tlif^  rules  that  thif;  great 
paint  !pt't  l)ehintl  liim,  aUhougli  the  papists  affirm  that  tlicy  were  dictated  to 
him  hy  the  Holy  Gho^U  are  stuffed  witli  the  most  triflins,  aiirj  suptrstitioiis 
ceremonies  ;  and  his  whole  scveiitv-thrcr  chapters  eoiitain  but  f'Uir  whole- 
some precepts,  two  ot  which  only,  that  irlate  to  eating  and  drinking, 
iiis  followers  observe  ;  neglecting;  the  other  two,  which  are  the  fundaineu- 
lals  ot  their  order,  eujoiaing  humility  and  poverty  ;  (or  in  liis  seventh 
chapter,  St.  Bennet  a.-^sigos  twelve  rttirrees  of  humiiity  for  his  monks  to 
practice  ;  which  how  well  they  comply  with,  yon  may  tiiu!  by  the  humble 
titles  ot  the  abbots  of  Mount  Cassin,  the  bead  monastery  of  his  order,  of 
which  himself  was    first  ab'>ot. 

The  titles  of  the  abbots  ot  Mount  Cassin, — "  Patriarch  of  the  Sacrefl 
Religion,  Abbot  of  tha  Sacred  Monastery  of  Mount  Tassin.  Dnke  and 
Prince  of  all  Abbots  and  Ileli2;ions,  Vice  Chancellor  of  the  kino;(lom  o!  both 
the  Sicilies,  of  Jerusalem,  of  llnnjiaria.  Count  and  Govrrnor  of  C;inipania, 
and  Terra  de  Lavoro.  and  of  the  Maritime  Province,  Vice  Fmprror.  and 
Prince  of  Peace."  In  his  fifty  ninth  claptcr,  the  same  saint  enjoin,';  pov- 
erty to  all  his  disciples  ;  an;l  in  obedience  to  this  rule,  the  above  mention- 
ed monastery  of  Mount  Cassin  so  renounced  the  woild,  as  to  be  possessed 
but  of  "  four  bishopricks.  tvo  duk-doms,  twenty  counties,  thirty  six  cities, 
two  hundred  castles,  three  hundred  territories.  Ibnr  linndrtd  and  forty 
viilaffes,  three  hundred  and  six  faiins,  twenty  three  sea  ports,  tliirty  three 
islands,  two  linndred  mills,  and  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty  two 
churches."  This  was  their  holy  poverty  ;  and  thiv^  you  miy  fee  how  reli- 
giously these  ten  rules  have  been  observed,  and  how  spiritually  the  follow- 
ers of  St.  Bennet  retreated  from  the  world  in  Italy;  who  were  soon  imi- 
tated iasome  of  these  kinds  of  holy  selt'-tlenials,  by  their  pious  brethren  io 
England,  as  you  may  learn  from  the  vast  numbers  of  rich  abbeys  which  the 
Benedictines  were  possessed  ot.  These  were  the  humble  prie^sts  from  whom 
King  Henry  II.  received  the  discipline  of  eighty  lashes,  for  having  like 
an  undutiful  son  of  the  church,  dared  to  contend  in  power  with  their  patroa 
Tiiomas  a  B.^cket,  whose  stirrup  he  had  been  obliged  to  hold,  whilst  that 
meek  Prelate  mounted. 

As  these  monks  began  to  be  notorious  to  the  worJd  for  their  obscenities 
and  luxury  ;  in  the  year  912,  Oden  Abbot  of  Cluny,  took  upon  him  to 
correct  their  abuses,  and  gave  rise  to  the  Cluniacs  ;  who  were  the  same 
year  translated  by  Alphreda,  Q,ueon  of  England  ;  for  who  more  proper  to 
promote  superstition  than  a  zealous  ignorant  woman  !  However,  to  shew 
how  thoroiiiiSly  these  men  reformed  upon  St.  Bennet's  foliower.s,  es|)ecially 
in  point  oi  humility,  they  were  not  settled  one  whole  century,  before  the 
Abbot  of  Cinny  contested  the  title  of  Abbot  of  Abbots,  with  those  ot  Mount 
Cassin. 

The  nest  order  vras  that  of  the  Carthusians,  first  established  in  the  yeai 
1080.  in  the  desert  of  Chartreuse  in  Grenoble,  by  one  P.ruuo,  who 
was  thereunto  moved  by  hearing  a  dead  man  cry  out  three  times,  "That 
he  was  condemned  by  the  just  ju  Igment  of  God  ;"  which  was  a  very  plain 
precept  for  building  monasteries  !  This  man  proliessed  to  follow  tlie  rule 
of  St.  Bi'.nnct,  adding  thereunto  mat»y  great  austerities  by  way  of 
reformation ;  amongst  others  he  ordained,  that  they  ought  to  be  satisfied 
withavrrry  little  space  of  ground  about  their  cells,  after  which,  let  the 
whole  world  be  offered  imto  them,  they  ought  not  to  desire  a  foot  more, 
i'iiis,  1  suppose,  they  have  construed  to  signify  a  foot  more  than  the  whole 
worhl ;  for  their  cells,  even  in  St.  Bernard's  time,  became  stately  palaces, 
and  their  little  spaces  of  ground,  stretched  themselves  into  great  tracts  of 
?anfi.     They  fiist  scttlfell  themselves  io  England  in  the  year  1180,  and  ia 


APPENDIX. 


19 


%  very  short  time  had  gained  as  in iich  wealth  by  their  vovrs  of  poverty  as 
any  othar  order. 

r.'ie  CisteiTii'is,  so  C:illeil  from  Citeaux,  where  they  first  assembled, 
and  >oo!i  lite;-  adiuitteil  St.  Btrnard  tor  their  head,  from  whence  they  are 
styled   Beni;iriiines,  were  -.mother  ret'orination  upou  the  Beiirriictiiies. 

St.  Bernard  himself  founded  one  iiiindrcd  and  sixty  monasterits ;  who 
at  first  Moi.ld  have  no  possessions,  bnt  lived  by  aUns,  and  the  labour  of 
their  own  bands ;  which  being  too  aj^ostolic  a  life  for  monks,  tl»ey  soou 
grew  as  weary  of  poverty  and  industry  as  their  neigiibours;  and  in  a  little 
time  rivalled  those,  upon  whom  they  pretended  to  rei'iirm,  in  wealth,  lux- 
ury, wyntonutss,  and  such  like  raoukish  virtues.  At  Iheir  first  institutiou, 
they  wore  black  monkish  habits,  till  tha  Virgin  M  uy,  out  of  her  great 
Jove  to  these  iat  iriars,  came  down  from  ilea  sen  on  purpose  to  refoim  their 
dress,  -as  being  the  most  essential  part  of  their  older.  Siie  appeared  her- 
«ell  to  their  second  abbot,  bringiu*;  a  while  cowl  in  her  hand,  which  she 
put  upon  his  head,  and  at  the  same  instant,  the  cowls  of  all  Iho  monks 
thrn  singing  in  the  choir,  were  miraculously  turned  to  the  suj^e  colour. 
Tiius  a-:!  the  Blessed  Virgin  change  the  habits  of  the  Cistercians  from  black 
to  white,  as  they  had  betore  altered  their  lives,  from  a  sad  melancholy 
retirrment.  to  a  merry  jovial  society  ;  black  being  no  more  fit  for  a  jolly 
pritst,  than  while  is  Ibr  a  mournful  penitent.  Besides,  tiie  old  monk  Sataa 
being  epresented  as  black,  the  Holy  V^irgin  was  UQwiliing  perhaps,  that 
her  friends  should  be  like  him  in  dress,  though  they  resembled  him  in  every 
thing  else.  These  locusts  swarmed  first  in  England,  about  the  year  1132, 
and  continued  there  iu  the  innocent  exercise  of  their  sanctity  ;  a  remarkable 
insianve  of  which  was  their  poisoning  of  king  John  at  Swiueshead  in  Liu- 
cohishire,  an  abbey  of  the  holy  Cistercian  order. 

There  was  ariother  sort  of  religious  order  in  the  church  ol  Rome,  who 
were  callei  Canons.  These  were  to  live  in  common,  and  to  have  but 
one  table,  one  purse,  and  one  dormitory.  But  as  many  of  them  began  to 
abate  ol"  the  strictness  of  their  first  rules,  a  new  sect  sprang  up,  that  pre- 
tended to  relbim  upon  the  rest,  and  these  were  called  Regular,  whereas 
the  othei-  by  way  of  reproach,  were  styled  Secular.  They  all  pretended 
to  liave  received  three  rules  from  St.  Augustine,  two  of  which,  Erasmus 
and  Hospiniau  proved  to  be  forgeries,  and  affirm,  that  the  third  was  not 
written  Ibr  his  clergy,  but  for  the  use  of  some  pious  women,  who  lived 
in  common  under  the  conduct  of  his  sister.  When  Canoqs  began,  is  not 
certain  ;  but  the  first  Regulars  wcread  of,  are  tbo^e  whom  Pope  Alexander 
II.  sejit  from  Lucca  to  St.  John  Lateran.  The  Regular  Canoos  were  so 
irregular,  and  guilty  of  such  abominable  crimes,  that  even  Pope  Boniface 
VIII.  was  lorced  to  drive  them  away,  and  for  the  peace  of  the  church,  to 
place  Secular  Canons  in  their  rooin.  Beriners  in  the  yeir  63G.  first  intro- 
duced these  Augustinians  into  England,  who  stiictly  follovved  the  example 
of  their  biethr  nof  St.  John  Lateran. 

The  Praemonstratenses,  who  i(:)ilowed  the  same  rule  with  the  former, 
were  founded  by  St.  Norbert,  about  the  year  1120,  at  a  place  which  the 
Blessed  Virgin  pointed  out  to  him,  and  which  therefore  was  Pre-nioustte, 
or  foreshewn.  These  monks,  to  get  a  greater  esteem  in  the  world  after 
the  death  of  their  founder,  published,  that  he  had  received  his  rule,  curi- 
ously bound  in  gold,  from  the  hands  of  St.  Austin  himself,  who  appeared 
to  him  one  night,  and  said  thus ;  «'  Here  is  the  rule  that  I  have  written, 
and  if  ray  b;ctliren  observe  it,  they  like  my  ciiildren.  need  to  fear  nothing 
at  all  in  the  day  of  judgment."  Indeed  these  pious  fathers,  tor  their  great 
siecurity  iu  the  last  day,  have  firmly  adhered  to  one  of  his  precepts,  that 
commands  them  to  love  one  another.  What  confirms  this  suspicion  is, 
their  declaration  in  the  year  1273  ;  iu  which,  alter  having  ackuowledged 


20  APPENDIX. 

that  women  are  wor«!e  than  the  most  venomous  aspicks  and  tlia,'rons,   they 
resolved  never  to  have  any  irio'c  to  do  with  them. 

Till-  next  order  is  that  ot  St.  Gilhert,  a  little  crooked  schooIma<;ter, 
born  in  Liuc(diishiie,  «ho  by  reason  of  liis  del'ormity,  desjiaiting  to  bring 
th€  women  to  answer  his  lewd  inclinations  in  a  seeniar  manner.  w?.s  re- 
solved t»  make  religion  subservient  to  his  purposes;  and  to  this  end  he 
founded  thiiieeii  monasteries,  eontaijiing  hoth  sexes  togctlier,  to  the  num- 
ber ol  s.>vi'n  Hundred  men,  and  (ii'tevn  hundred  women.  This  order  ot  the 
Gilbertines,  was  established  at  .Sedfipringhara.  in  the  year  1148,  and  was 
thenre  eallfcd  the  Semprioghuni  rrder ;  hnt  the  disgnstins:  chararteristits 
exhibit  sueh  an  outrace  on  coil.non  decency,  that  delicacy  compels  us 
to  suppress    further  particulars. 

'ri?p  Matiunines  so  called  I'voa/i  their  founder  John  Matlia,  were  like- 
wise siiled  Triuitaiians,  beean«fj  they  liy  under  an  obligation  of  dedicating 
ab  tbo*i-  chmch<s  to  the  holy  Trinity  ;  they  professed  the  rules  of  St. 
Austin,  and  added  to  them  several  others;  emonost  which  is  that  remark- 
able one  of  riding  upon  an  ass,  the  only  thing  in  which  I  can  find  tiiesc 
godly  fathers  imitate  Christ.  They  wf^re  instituted  in  the  year  1207,  and 
set' led  in  tngiand  in  the  year  1257.  The  professed  orig;inal  design  of  their 
estal)!ishmenl,  was  for  the  enlargement  of  ciiptives  ;  and  whatsoever  subs- 
tance lell  into  t!;eir  hands,-  was  to  be  <iivided  into  three  eqir.il  parts,  one 
of  which  Was  to  be  remitted  to  elirtstian  slaves  for  their  redemption, 
whilst  thf  o'.her  two  we;eto  remain  in  possession  ol  these  cluiritabl';  bankers, 
as  a  satisiaction  for  Ibeir  great  pains  in  making  such  a  return,  which  a 
inercifulJew  would  have  done  more  fallliiiilly,  and  for  a  tenth  part  of  the 
reward.  But  two  parts  in  three  being  too  scanty  a  recompence  for  tiie 
great  to.i  of  a  lazy  friar,  these  iVIathiuiues.  having  no  other  God  but  money, 
to  approve  thcnisi  Ives  true  Trinitarians  to  that  deity,  often  cheated  the 
poor  captive  ol  his  third  part,  rather  tlian  they  would  divide  thesubgtance. 
This  was  the  ceremony  of  the  Ass. — in  several  churches  in  France,  in 
early  ages  they  ceh  braUd  a  festival  in  commemoration  o*.'  the  Virgin 
Mary's  flight  into  Egypt,  lit  wd.<  called  the  Fe,ast  of  thC  Ass.  A  young 
girl  I'ichly  dressed,  with  a  chihl  in  her  arms,  was  set  npon  an  ass  superbly 
t'apai  ironed.  The  ass  wa'^  led  to  the  altar  in  solsnia  procession.  Iligii 
M  iss  was  said  in  great  pomp.  The  ass  was  taught  to  kneel  in  proper 
place>;  a  hymn  no  less  childish  than  imiuous,  was  sung  in  his  praise;  and 
when  the  ceremony  was  ended;  the  priest,  intfad  of  tlie  usual  words  with 
which  he  "dismissed  the  people,  brayed  three  times  like  an  ass  ;  and  the 
people,  instead  of  tlieir  usual  response,  we  bless  the  Lord,  brayed  three 
times  in  the  same  manner. 

This  ridiculous  ceremony  was  not,  like  thfe  festival  of  fools,  and  some 
oth'Sr  pageants  of  those  ages,  a  mere  farcical  entertainment  exhibited  in  a 
chincf,  and  mingled  as  was  then  the  custom,  with  an  imitation  of  some 
religious  rites.  It  was  an  act  ofdevo'ion  pcrtbrmed  by  the  ministers  of 
religion,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  church. 

These  eight  religious  orders  grasped  the  greater  part  of  the  property  in 
England.  Four  other  irionki^ih  tribes  held  no  possessions  o(  their  own,  but 
being  like  the  frogs  iii  Egypt  in  numbers  and  ubiquity,  virtually  were 
masters  ofthe  island,  as  it  was  de(>med  a  crime  equal  to  sacrilege,  to  deny 
th<  m  admission  to  any  place  which  they  comlescended  to  honour  with 
their  presence. 

The  Franciscans  or  Grey  Friars,  were  instituted  in  the  year  1206,  by 
St  Francis,  whose  first  prank  of  holiness  was  robbing  his  father,  for 
which  pious  art,  being  disinherited,  he,  like  a  true  ranter,  stript  himself 
Ktart  naked,  and  ran  away  to  a  chapel  near  Assisy  in  Umbria,  where  being 
a  beggar  himself,  be  began  a  begging  order  ;    which  being  founded   on 


APPENDIX.  ^       %l 

sloth  and  idleness,  drew  in  so  many  converls,  tbat  St.  Fraiu-is,  evfn  iii 
Ills  !ilr  lime,  saw  two  Ibousaiul  couvents  oi  his  own  monks,  all  mimipeis, 
gypsifs.  vagrauts,  aiiti  such  like  persons,  taking  npnn  iiiin  liis  jnotes'^ion 
ut  sanctity,  which  agitcd  so  well  with  tbeir  own  in*  hnutions.  It  were 
eii.Jle^s  iiere  to  eiiuiner.iif  those  many  ridicnious  and  blasphemous  miracif  s 
witii  which  liis  iyins;  ie^emi  is  filled  ;  such  as  the  bearing  the  niai  ks  oi  Christ 
npau  ills  boay,  which  wefi^-  impiiiuni  there  by  Christ  himself;  sncb  as 
his  conversing  mtiiuateiy  with  the  Virgin  Mary ;  such  as  his  heiilina:  the 
\p,nic  ;uKl  blind,  nay,  and  even  raising  the  dead  to  iile.  Miracles,  npon 
tie  .strengUi  oi  which,  his  blind  lullowers  have  not  hesitated  to  publish 
hiiii  greater  tiian  Jolm  the  Baptist,  and  all  the  apostles,  and  to  affiiia  that 
a  roll  tiom  heaven  declared  him  to  be  the  '*  Giace  ol'  God."  Nay,  they 
have  not  been  ashamed  to  call  him  .Jesus  of  Nazareth,  King  oitlie  Jews." 
il*5iying  upon  the  sincerity  of  the  author  of  his  legend,  1  mean  Lucifer, 
w^ose  seat  this  great  suint  tills  in  heaven,  who  being  once  abjured  by  a 
priesi,  an>iwered,  that"  there  were  only  two  men  marked  alike.  Christ  aud 
'^t.  Francis." 

The  iiommiiians  or  Biaek  Friars,  took  their  rise  in  tlie  year  1215,  from 
tha:  Qodly  BtiicherSt.  Douunick,  whose  cathoiick  zeal  was  first  manifes- 
ted in  the  laibaroiis  croisade  which  he  set  on  loot  against  those  innocent 
pfcopie  llie  Hibigi  !)je»,  of  whom  above  one  hundred  thoiisand  were  massa- 
ci   -i  a'v  o.icc,  by  '.Ills  saint's   instigation;  for  at  a  sm;dl.-r  price    of  blood 
hi  cjuM' not  hope  to  purchase  a  canonization  in  a  chr.rcii,  which  was  so 
Well  ^tot•^:eli  ivit.!)  >uch  tiiiu  oi'  saints  bifore.    To  give  yet  a  farther  instance 
of  ii'.NC;;iislia.i  ctiaiity,  wlitn  h':  saw  how  the  number  of  heretics  was  dimi- 
uisheJ  1/y  h;-.   wholesome  .>ePirities,  l:k'   a  true  high-church  champion,  he 
listed  iiUo  his  order  a  set  oi  merciless-iuffians,  whom  he  styled  the  militia 
of  Jesu    Christ  ;  whose  employment  was  to  cut   the  throat*   of  all  those 
who  were  so  scihiMuaticul  as  to  dissent  from  him  in  opinion.     It  was  he  a.h.o 
who  founded  tnat  iuerciiul  court  of  justice,  called  the  Inquisition,  nor  did 
he  want  for  miracles  any  more  than  his  brother  St.  Francis  :  for  though  he 
bad  uo  sich  bodily  marks,  yet  he  received  the  Holy  Ghost  with  the  same 
glory  ot  a  tlamiug  tongue  as  the  apostles  di<i  ;    and  whereas   Christ  being 
Verbuin  Dei,  only  proceeded  f.om  the  mouth  of  God,  St.  Dominick  was 
aeen  to  tome  from  his  breast.    Nay  farther,  he  like  St.  Paul  was  ravished 
into  the  third  heaven,  Wnere  seeing  none  of  his  own  order  he  complained 
to  Jesus  Christ  of  it;  who  exhibited  his  mother,  the  Virgin  Wary,  che- 
iisbiog  vast  uiimbers  of  his  tbiiowers  in  a  manner  that  delicacy  compels  ns 
to  conceal.     This  diabolical    sect   pretended  to   follow    the  rule    of  St. 
Austin,  aud  multiplied   so   fast,  that   in  the   space  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy  years,  t&ey  had  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  forty  three  convents. 
The  Carmelites,  or    White  Friars,  pretend  that  the  prophet  Elias  was 
the  Prst  Ca /melite,  who  obtained  of  our  Saviour  at  the  time  of  his  transfi- 
guration on  Mount  Carmel,  this  grand  privilege,  that  his  order  should  re- 
main till  tiie  eud  of  the  world.     The  true  time  of  their  foundation,  was   in 
the  year  1122,  by  Albeit,  patriarch  of  Jerusalem,  who  gathered  together 
a  few  Hermites,  that  lived  on  Mount  Carmel,  and  gave  them  the  pretended 
rule  of  Saint   Basil.     When    Palestine   was  taken  by  the  Saracens,  they 
flocked  into  Europe,  where  Pope  Honorius  IV.  altered  thrir  habits,  and 
lor  an   indication  of  their  humility,  dubbed  them  Christ's  Uncles,  ordering 
them  to  be  called  Brothers  of  the  Virgin  3Iary.     Innocent  IV.  upon  their 
parting   with  that  heretical  clause  in  one  of  their   rules,  "that  they  only 
ought  to  hope  for  salvation  from  our  Saviour,"  like  a  true  Pope,  granted 
them   many  immuuities  and  privileges;  whose  example  was  followed  by 
Pope  John   XXIII.  he  being  thereunto  moved  by  a  vision  of  the  Blessed 
Virgin,  who  according  to  bis  pretended  usual   tamiliarity,  accosted  bi"? 


22  APPENDIX, 

holiness  iii  tiiese  words  :  "  87  express  coiainap.ii  of  Me  and  my  Son,  thon 
Khalt  grant  this  privilege,  tiiat  whosoever  eiileis  this  my  order  shili  be  free 
from  sniltaiul  punishment  of  their  sins,  and  eternally  saved."  Urban  iV. 
was  likewise  favonrabic  unto  tliem  :  as  was  Eugenrus  VI.  who  mitigjted 
their  rule,  and  permitted  thoin  to  eat  flesh,  as  a  reward  for  their  having 
bnrned  alive  one  Thomas,  brother  of  their  own  order,  for  blasphemously 
affirming,  that  the  abominations  of  the  church  of  Rome  needed  a  relbrma- 
tioD. 

This  successive  friendship  ofPopes  to  them,  increased  their  convents  to 
a  number  not  inferior  to  that  of  any  othei  order.  And  they  made  smb 
good  use  ol  the  Virgin  Mary's  iavoiii' in  exempting  tl)ein  from  tlie  guilt,  of 
sin,  tiiat  Nicholas  of  Narbona  ,  general  of  their  order,  alter  liaving  re- 
proached them  with  their  hypocrisy  and  abominations,  in  theytar  1270, 
retired  from  their  society,  bting  no  longer  able  to  bear  with  their  standa- 
loGS  lives.  They  passed  over  into  England  about  the  year  126.'),  and  hay 
lor  their  general  St.  Symon  Stock,  so  called  from  his  living  in  a  hollow 
tree. 

The  Austin  Friars  derive  their  original  from  the  same  person  with  the 
Regular  Cdnons,  and  by  the  same  forgery.  In  short,  their  begiiming  was 
^[bnnded  upon  this  ridiculous  story,  from  their  own  legends  :  It  haijpened 
on  a  certain  occasion,  as  Pope  Alexander  IV.  lay  half  asleep  and  half 
awake,  that  the  great  St.  Augustine,  though  dea;!  und  rotten  so.ue  hundred 
years  bnfore,  appeared  to  him  uader  a  dreadful  figure,  havi.-.g  a  head  as 
big  as  a  tun,  and  the  rest  of  his  body  as  small  as  a  read  ;  by  which  myste- 
rious form,  his  holiness  iinniediately  knew  the  s:iint,  and  concluded  that 
he  ought  to  found  an  order  to  this  Holy  Father,  whose  head  could  not  be 
at  rest  in  the  grave  for  want  of  a  body.  And  this  gave  rise  lo  these  men- 
dicant Augusti.'iian  Friais,  whi  being  confirmed  by  lollouiag  popes,  in- 
creased so  prodigiously  as  to  h  ive  in  a  few  years  above  two  thousand  con- 
vents of  men,  and  three  hundred  of  .vomen.  They  passed  from  Italy  into 
Kngland,  in  the  year  1^52 ;  and  at  their  arrival  a  raging  siekufss  broke 
out  in  London,  and  spread  over  the  whole  kingdo.n,  as  a  presage  of  the 
destruction  and  plague,  which  these  vermin  would  iu  time  bring  npon  the 
nation. 

The  Hospitalers  of  St.  John  of  Jcru-aiem.  and  the  Knight  Templars,,' 
followed  the  rule  of  St.  Augustine  in  many  points,  but  were  wholly  exclu^. 
ded  from  the  exercise  of  the  can-oiiical  oIEce  :  their  vow  was  to  receive, 
to  treat  and  defend  pilgrims,  and  also  to  maintain  with  force  of  arms  the. 
Christian  religion  iu  their  country  ;  none  were  admitted  amongst  Ihcm, 
bnt  those  who  were  of  noble  extraction,  whilst  the  religious  .societies  were 
for  the  most  part  composed  of  the  dregs  of  the  earth  ;  and  they  acquired 
to  themselves  such  immense  treasure,  as  procured  them  the  envy  and 
hatred  of  all  orders  ;  which  was  the  true  cause  of  the  total  extirpation  of 
the  Teinplirs,  and  contributed  to  the  diminution  of  the  pon  er  and  revenue 
of  the  Ho>pitaleis,  who  are  now  called  Knights  of  Malta. 

Not  inserting  therefore  these  two  military  societies,  wc  shall  find  that 
the  number  of  religious  orders  amounted  exactly  to  twelve;  two  plagues 
jTiore  than  ever  Egypt  felt,  aniof  a  much  more  dreadful  nature.  For 
Moses  only  lulled  their  rivers  into  blood  ;  whereas  the  monks,  by  their 
persecutions  converted  the  whole  nation  into  a  sea  of  blood  :  he  sent  frogs,, 
lice,  and  flies  into  all  their  quarters,  much  less  troublesome  vermin  thaa 
those  mendicant  friars,  who  swarmed  in  all  the  private  families  t  he  called 
lor  murrain  upon  the  Egyptian  cattle,  and  for  boils  upon  the  flesh  of  their 
iuh.ibitants  ;  and  what  were  the  religious  orders  less,  than  the  consumers 
of  the  substance,  and  the  corruption  of  the  people  ?  He  commanded  hail 
and  locusts,  which  destroyed  only  one  season's  crop  ;  but  these  sanctified 


APPENDIX.  23 

fatfipiii'ars  flevoured  the  land  forages  together.  He  c  a  rise  d  a  <larknes9 
ivhi(  lisoon  passed  away  ;  but  the  eclipse  which  these  men  brought  upon 
t^e  light  of  the  gospel,  endured  for  more  than  twelve  hundred  year% 
Atu\  lastly,  the  first-born  only,  iii  that  unhappy  land  were  s'ain  by  the 
angel  ol  God  ;  whereas  in  that,  then  inueh  more  miserable  country,  those 
messcnfrers  of  the  devil,  sacrificed  whole  families  to  their  covetoussiess  and 
lust.  That  men  should  desire  the  oninr.s  of  Egypt  is  no  wonder  ;  but  that 
they  should  long  for  its  very  plagues,  is  a  Colly  peculiar  only  to  si;perstiiion . 

The  rules  ol  the  Nuns  were  exac  (!y  the  same  with  those  of  their  brtthr*  d 
the  Friars,  in  each  respective  order,  to  whom  they  served  only  as  an  ap- 
pendix or  house  of  ease.  All  that  may  truly  be  athrmed  of  them  is,  that 
they  were  a  set  of  silly  superstitions  women,  who  Ihought  it  to  be  a  piece 
of  spiritual  devotion  to  be  subservient  to  the  monks,  though  it  were  ia 
gratifying  the  lusts  of  the  flesh;  alid  bore  to  Ihe  world  the  iace  of  chaste 
f  liristian  sisters,  whilst,  like  a  Tuikish  seraglio,  they  tarried  in  private 
the  teeming  marks  of  the  labour  of  their  ghostly  fathers. 

A  plagtie  exceeding  all  the  rest  succeeded  the  Reformation,  and  was  con- 
trived by  the  Mother  of  the  Abominations  of  the  earth  to  overthrow  the 
consequences  of  that  glorious  event.  The  Jesuits  sprang  up  in  the  yf  ar  o^ 
our  Lord  1540.  Their  first  founfier  was  Ignatius  Loyola,  a  Spani»^h  soldier, 
who  collecting  together  all  the  difiercnt  3]onastJc  rules  of  preceding  orders, 
added  thereunto  some  extraordinary  ones  of  his  own,  particularly  this  i 
"  that  the  general,  provincials,  and  superiors  of  his  order,  may  dispense  with 
all  laws  human  and  divine,  dissolve  all  oaths  and  vows,  and  free  men  from 
the  obligation  of  all  rules  and  decrees."  They  were  called  JcMiits,  from  a 
pretended  vision  of  God  the  Father,  who  appeared  visibly  to  St.  Ignatius 
Loyohi,  and  desired  his  Sou  Jesus  Chiist,  who  stood  by  loaden  with  a  heavy 
cross,  to  take  a  special  care  both  oi  liiin  and  his  companions,  which  Christ 
promised  he  would  not  fail  to  do  a:  Kouie.  This  pestiferous  sect  multiplied 
m  fast,  that  ui  the  year  1608,  Bibadiniora  reckons  that  they  possessed  thirty 
one  provinces,  twenty  on;-  prolessed  hoiises,  thirty  three  noviciates,  ninety 
six  residential  houses,  and  two  hundred  and  ninety  three  colleges,  besides 
their  fast  college,  which  they  pretend  was  in  the  womb  of  the  Virgin  Mary. 
These  Jesuits  are  much  the  most  dangerous  vermin  ol  all  those  who  pretend 
to  the  name  of  Religious,  inasnusch  as  they  declare,uo  villainy, no  treachery 
nor  cruelty,  to  be  criminal,  provided  it  tends  to  th.e  benefit  of  their  society. 
And  by  this  means,  whenever  a  natiiui  is  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  overrun 
with  this  diabolical  crew,  no  one  member  of  the  comraunity  can  promise 
liimself  a  sccu"ity  either  to  his  life,  honour  or  estate.  Nay,  the  person  of  a 
monarch  is  not  exempted  from  danger,  when  he  is  once  become  an  object 
of  Jesuitical  spleen  ;  as  was  notoriousi;,  maniiested  in  the  whole  series  of 
the  reign  of  king  Henry  I V,  of  France,  whose  life  was  many  times  attempt- 
ed by  these  ghostly  fathers,  before  they  accomplished  their  wicked  ends. 
To  pass  over  many  others,  I  shall  only  mention  three  of  their  most  remarka- 
ble conspiracies.  The  first  was  that  of  Peter  {3arricre.  a  soldier,  engaged 
to  commit  the  murder  by  Christopher  Abre.  curate  ol  St.  Andie  des  Are.s, 
and  by  Varade,  the  rector  of  the  Jesuits'  College.  The  former  told  hiro, 
*'  that  by  such  an  act,  he  would  gain  great  glory,  and  paradise."  The  lat- 
ter, "  that  the  enterprise  was  most  holy,  and  that  with  good  constancy  and 
courage,  be  onght  to  confess  himself,  and  receive  the  blessed  sacrament," 
which  he  accordingly  did  ;  and  being  thus  Jesuitically  prepared,  he  em- 
barked  in  the  attempt,  but,  whilst  he  was  watching  an  opportunity  to  put 
his  bloody  design  in  executiou,  was  timely  discovered,  and  received  the  due 
reward  of  his  villainy. 

The  second  conspirator  vas  Jean  Chastcl,  son  to  a  draper  in  Paris,  and 
by  bisowucoufesfciun,  bred  up  among  the  Jesuits  ii;  their  king-killir.g  doc- 


2i  Ari'ElS'DlX. 

tiiue  ;  a«d  Wtag  prrsnadcd  by  tbem,  that  the  murder  of  kin;^  Henry  IV'. 
would  atone  lor  all  his  past  sins,  and. merit  lieaven,  he  attempted  it  hy  stab- 
l»iug  that  monarch  in  the  month  with  a  knife  ;  tvhich  oecasioncd  this  ra- 
mukable  sayino;  of  tlie  kiii2;'s — "  It  seems  then,  that  it  is  not  enono;h  lliat 
the  mouths  of  so  many  y;ood  men  have  testilied  against  the  Jt^snil-;  d-:  my 
enemies,  if  they  be  not  also  condemned  by  my  own  mouth."  It  was  lot 
this  fact  that  tiiese  gliostly  fathers  were  banished  France,  and  a  column  wis 
erected  on  Vuc  very  place  where  the  parricide's  house  stood,  irt  menmry  of 
ihem,  and  of  their  assassin  disciples. 

1  he  last  and  most  effectual  regicide,  whom  th»^se  fathers  employed,  was 
tiiat  bold  and  bloody  villain  Ravaiilac,  who  gav<  Henry  IV  his  mortal  stab, 
on  .^lay  11,  KilO,  after  he  had  e«caped  above  hf'y  conspiracies,  most  of 
them  contrived  by  Priests  against  his  life.  That  the  Jesuits  employ  d  this 
murderer,  we  have  the  testimony  of  Father  Paul,  who  lived  at  that  lime  ; 
and,  as  he  was  counsellor  of  state  to  the  republic  of  Venice,  was  perfectly 
well  aeqoaiuted  with  the  intrigues  of  all  the  courts  of  Europe.  He  tells  us 
that  the  Jesuits  were  the  trainers  up  of  Ravaillacs  and  king-killers,  and  that 
t.'iey  were  the  authors  of  the  death  of  this  great  prince. 

Itweie  tedious  to  enumerate  the  murders,  treasons,  rebellious,  bl;i.<?phe- 
mics,  and  such  like  crimes,  for  which  this  society  has  been  banished  out  of 
France,  from  Danizic,  from  the  Venetian  territories,  out  of  Thorn  and 
Cracovia,  and  Bohemia  ;  not  to  mention  that  inhuman  contrivance  of  theirs 
in  England,  to  blow  up  both  a  king  and  parliament  at  once. 

The  following  is  the  Jesuits'  manner  of  consecrating  both  the  persons 
and  weapons  employed  tor  the  murdering  of  kings  and  princes,  by  them 
accoun  cd  iicretics. 

"  The  person  whose  silly  reasons  the  Jesuits  have  overcome  wiHi  their 
more  potent  arguments,  is  immediately  conducted  into  their  Sanctum 
Sanctorum,  designed  for  prayer  and  meditation.  There  the  dagger  is  pro- 
duced, carefully  wrapt  up  in  a  linen  safeguard,  inclosed  in  an  ivory  sheath, 
engraven  with  several  cniginalical  characters,  and  accompanied  with  an 
Agnus  Dei  :  certainly  a  most  monstrous  copulation,  so  unadvisedlv  to  in- 
termix the  height  ol'  murderous  villainy,  and  the  most  sacred  emblem  of 
meekness,  together. 

"  The  dagger  being  unshenthed,  is  hypocritically  bedewed  witri  holy 
v.ater;  and  the  handle,  adorned  with  a  certain  number  of  coral  beads,  jiut 
into  his  hand  ;  thereby  ascertaining  tiie  credulous  fool,  that  as  many  eflcctnal 
stabs  as  he  gives  the  assassinated  prince,  so  many  souls  he  should  redeem 
out  of  purgatory  on  his  o»vn  account  Then  they  deliver  the  dagger  mto 
the  Pairicide'shand,  with  a  solemn  recommendation  in  these  words. — 

"Elected  son  of  God,  receive  the  sword  of  Jephtha,  the  swcid  of  Samson, 
ivhich  was  Ike  jam-bone  of  an  ass,  the  sword  oi'  Uavid  wherewith  hr  -mote 
off  the  head  of  Goliath,  the  snord  of  Gideon,  the  sword  of  Judiii',  the 
sword  of  the  Macabees,  the  sword  ol  Pope  Julius  II.,  wherewith  iie  cut  oft' 
the  lives  of  several  princes,  his  enemies,  filling  whole  cities  with  sl-.nghter 
and  blood:  go  prosper,  prudently  courageous;  and  tiie  Lord  streiisi  hen 
thy  arm."  Which  being  pronounced,  they  all  fall  upon  their  knees,  .uid  the 
superior  of  the  Jesuits  pronounces  the  following  exorcism  :  "  Attend,  O  ye 
cherubims;  descend  and  be  present,  O  srraphiras  ;  you  ti,  oi.es.  you 
powers,  you  holy  angels,  comedown  and  fill  this  blessed  vessel,  thepirri- 
cide,  with  eternal  glory,  and  daily  ofler  to  him,  Ibi  it  is  but  asm  ill  reward, 
the  crown  of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  of  all  the  holy  patriaiclis  and 
martyrs.  He  is  no  u;ore  concerned  among  us,  he  is  now  of  yoiir  cele  tial 
fraternity.  And  thou,  OGod  most  terrible  and  naccessible,  uho  yet  hast 
revealed  to  this  instrument  oi  thine  in  thy  dedicated  j)laee  of  our  prayer 
and  meditation,  that  such  a  prince  is  to  be  cut  ofl'as  a  tyrant  and  a  heretic, 


APPENDIX.  25 

ami  li's  fi.iniininiis  to  be  trasisluted  to  aaother  line  ;  coiifiim  and  strengthen, 
we  heseecli  '..'see,  tliis  instrument  of  thine,  wiiom  we  have  conseciated  and 
fledicated  to  tliat  s  icred  office,  tliat  he  may  he  able  to  accomplish  thy  will. 
Grant  him  the  habergeon  of  thy  divine  omnipotency,  that  he  may  be  ena- 
blcil  to  escape  tiie  hanrls  of  his  pnrsiiers.  Give  hira  wings,  that  he  may 
avoid  tlie  dcsiitis  of  ail  that  ]ie  in  wait  for  his  destruction.  Infuse  into  his 
sold  the  b.^aiiis  of  thy  Ci)nsolatio)i,  to  uphold  and  sustain  the  weak  fabric 
of  his  body  ;  tliat  conleni;)ing  all  fears,  lie  iisay  be  able  to  shew  a  cheerful 
and  lively  countenance  in  thi;  niidst  of  presRiit  torments  or  prolonged  im- 
prisonments ;  and  that  he  may  sinj  and  rejoice  with  a  mure  than  ordinary 
exultation,   whatever  de:ith  he  iiii(lcro;oes." 

•*  Tills  e.vorcjsin  bein^  fini-hrd,  the  p  irriciile  is  brought  to  the  altar,  ovci- 
wliich  at  that  time  hams  a  picture  containing;  the  story  of  James  Clement, 
a  Dominican  Fri  ir,  with  thetisjures  of  several  ansels  protecting  and  rondnct- 
i:iT  him  to  heRven.  This  Clement  was  a'-counted  a  blessed  martyr  for  bis 
birbaroiismurd^^r  of  Henry  IIF,  kina;  oi' Fiance.  This  picture  the  Jesuits 
sh'iw  their  cully  ;  and  at  the  same  tine  [jresenting  him  with  a  celestial 
coronet,  rehearse  the«e  words — '•  Loul,  look  down,  and  behold  this  arm  of 
thine,  theexeciilioner  of  thy 'justice  ;  let  all  thy  saints  arise,  and  give  place 
to  him  :"  uiiiih  ceremonies  being  ended,  there  are  only  five  Jesuits  de- 
puted to  converse  with,  and  keep  the  parricide  company  ;  who,  in  their 
common  discourse,  make  it  their  business,  upon  all  occasions,  to  fill  his 
ears  with  their  divine  wheedh-s  :  making  him  believe  tiint  a  certain  celestial 
splendour  shines  in  his  countenance,  by  the  beams  whereof  they  -ire  so 
overa^ved,  as  to  throw  thpns'lv>->  down  before  him.  and  to  kiss  his  feet  ; 
that  he  appears  now  no  mo--"  a  mortal  but  is  transfniured  into  a  deity  ;  and 
lastly,  in  a  deep  dissjraulitioo,  they  bewail  themselves,  and  feign  a  kiiid  ot 
envy  at  the  happiness  and  etern  il  glory  which  he  is  so  suddenly  to  enjoy  ; 
exclaiming  thus  bef  ire  the  cre/lnlons  wretch — '  Would  to  God,  the  Lord 
had  chosen  me  in  thy  stead,  and  had  so  oidained  it  Iiy  these  raeaus.  that 
being  freed  from  the  pains  of  purgatory,  I  might  go  dir'ctly  without  let  to 
Par;idise  !"  but  if  the  person  whom  they  imagined  proper  to  attempt  the 
parricide,  prove  any  thing  squeamish,  or  reluctant  to  their  exhortations, 
then,  by  nocturnal  scarecrows  and  affrighting  apparitions,  or  by  the  sub- 
orned appearances  of  the  Holy  Virgin,  or  some  otlipr  of  the  saints,  even 
of  Ignatius  Loyala  himself,  or  some  of  his  most  celebr;'.t<d  associ\t'S,  they 
terrify  the  soon  retrieved  misbeliever  into  a  compliance,  wiih  a  ready  pre- 
pared oath,  which  they  force  him  to  take,  and  therebv  they  animate  and 
encourage  his  staggering 'resolution.  Thus,  these  villiinous  and  impious^ 
doctora  in  the  art  of  munhr  and  parricide,  sometime?  by  the  terrors  of 
punishment,  sometimes  by  the  allurements  of  merit,  inflame  the  courage 
of  the  unwary,  and  having  entang'ed  them  in  the  nooses  o''  sacrilf-Lnous 
and  bloody  attempts,  precipitate  both  soul  and  body  into  eternal  damnation.' 

This  is  the  Christian  method  by  which  the  Jesnils  clear  themselves 
from  tiif  ir  enemies  :  how  happy  then  must  that  nation  be  where  Loyolists 
flourish  ! 

Tii'is  account  of  the  religious  orders,  in  the  Papal  Hierarchy,  is  com- 
piled from  statements  which  the  monks  themselves  have  recorded, 
and  for  the  truth  ot  whicli  they  are  witnesses  and  vouchers  ;  and  if  so  ridi- 
enlous  a  <cene  of  sTiperslition,  falsehood  arid  blasphemy,  as  that  which 
ap)>"ars  in  the  otigiual  and  progress  M'  every  order,  be  not  sufficient  to 
create  an  aversion  irom  Popery,  even  in  its  most  ze  i!oJ5  advocates,  they 
lU'.ist  have  lost  all  sen^e  either  of  Libert;  or  Religion. 


26  APPENDIX. 

X.  Page  245.  Luther's  magnanimom  addrgss  before  (he  Imperial  Diet  at 
Worms  in  \52\. 

Tho  history  connected  with  LnUier's  public  appearance  belorc  all  II  e 
assembled  dignitaries  of  the  German  Finpire,  with  the  irrelVagabie  dclieiu  e 
oihimseir  and  his  doctrines  which  he  there  delivered,  constitutes  so  splen- 
did, unique  and  interesting  an  occurrence  in  modern  ecclesiastical  history, 
that  all  its  concomitant  events  require  more  circumstantial  detail  than 
could  be  incorporated  in  the  lecture. 

Prior  to  the  meeting  oC  the  Diet,  Pope  Leo  had  exerted  his  utmost  influ- 
ence with  the  Elector  of  Saxony,  and  the  then  Emperor  Charles,  not  only 
to  cause  the  writings  of  Luther  to  be  burned,  but  also  to  have  him  delivered 
lip  at  Rome.  Nor  did  he  neglect  the  use  of  base  and  small  means  to  ac- 
complish his  ends.  He  offeerd  to  one  of  the  most  learned  men  ol  (hat  time 
many  offices  and  great  emoluments,  if  he  would  resolve  to  write  against 
Luthf^r.  But  this  man  is  said  to  have  replied  to  the  Pope  :  "  That  one  sin- 
gle leaf  of  Luther's  writings  gave  him  more  instruction  than  all  former  wis- 
dom." An  attempt  was  even  made  to  bribe  Luther  ivith  money.  It  is 
related,  that  2000  guilders  were  promised  secretly  to  be  paid  to  him  ;  and 
in  addition  to  this,  great  offices  and  titles  of  honor  would  be  conierred  on 
him.  if  he  would  promise  to  be  silent — but  that  (he  emissaries  wlio  had 
been  commissioned  to  make  these  overtures  to  him,  had  been  obliged  to 
depart  from  him  with  this  confession  ;  "  The  German  brute  disregards  both 
money  and  dignities." 

The  noise  which  his  writings  made,  now  reached  every  place.  The  pro- 
hibition against  the  reading  of  them,  had  the  very  opposite  effect.  Every 
one  read  and  studied  them.  All  Germany  learned  from  them  how  unjusti- 
fiable the  power  of  the  Pope  was;  how  many  errors  the  doctrines  oi  the 
Romish  Church  contained,  and  how  very  necessary  a  universal  change 
and  revolution  were  in  religions  opinions.  Some  hundreds  of  noblemen  in 
Franconia  and  Suahia  oflTered  their  protection  to  Luther.  All  this  inspired 
Luther  with  new  courage,  and  gave  him  new  strength,  insomuch  that  lie 
could  now  bid  defiance  to  all  dangers.  It  really  appeared  as  if  he  became 
more  intrepid  in  proportion  as  the  storm  threatened  from  on  all  sides  to 
burst  forth  upon  him.  Persecutions  which  would  have  detei  red  ordinary 
spirits  from  the  accomplishment  of  their  ends,  had  no  other  (ffect  on  him, 
than  to  make  Irm  the  more  unyielding  and  inclined  to  redouble  his  zeal. — 
Luther  himself  relates,  that  at  a  certain  time,  as  he  was  returning  to  his 
cloister,  from  the  university  where  he  had  been  leading  liis  lectures,  a  tra- 
Telhr approached  and  asked  him  :  "  How  he  could  be  so*  bold  as  to  accost 
every  person  in  so  friendly  a  manner,  and  give  him  his  hand.  That  some 
one  mighi  have  a  weapon  with  him,  and  murder  liim."  Jiiilher  replied  : 
"  How  eon'il  anv  one  escape  who  should  comii'it  siicii  an  act  ?  lie  would  put 
his  o'-  •  life  in  jeopardy  and  have  to  die  for  it."  "  if  I  should  murder  yoii," 
continued  thi  stranger,  "  and  should  even  myself  perish  for  the  deed,  the 
Poi  r  wo  lid  make  me  a  saint,  and  you  a  heretic,  whom  he  would  deliver 
ovrr  l<  >hp  devil."  Hereupon  the  stranger  left  the  city.  It  is  also  related 
that  a  loreigiier  had  been  found  in  his  kitchen,  \\l:o  had  a  small  pistol  con- 
cealed in  his  sleeve,  and  who  a>ked  Luther  in  front  of  the  cloister  :  "why 
he  walked  alone."  "  I  am  in  (lie  hands  of  God,"  Luther  replied  to  him. 
•*  he  is  my  shield  and  protection,  what  can  man  do  to  me?"  Wiiereupon 
the  assassin  turned  pale  and  tretnblingly  passed  through  the  gate  of  the 
citv.  At  that  time  Luther  was  also  apprehensive  that  he  would  be  poisoned, 
so  exceedingly  did  his  enemies  liate  Ins  life.  He  at  least  received  warning 
from  many  places  to  be  on  his  guard.  He  received  written  information 
from    Brcslaw,  that  2000  ducats  had  been  offered  to  a  certain  physician 


APPENDIX.  27 

irlie  would  try  his  skill  upon  Luther.  Tiiere  likewise  often  came  suspicious 
persons  to  him,  whom  he  however  avoided  as  much  as  possible.  He  re- 
lates that  when  he  once  sat  at  table  iu  a  certain  person's  hoiise,  after  hav- 
ing eaten  a  little,  he  was  seized  with  violent  vomiting,  and  tljrown  into  a 
profuse  perspiration,  which  however  had  not  been  Ibllowed  by  any  further 
bad  consequences. 

'!'he  Pope,  who  saw  his  power  and  authority  so  violently  attacked, 
perceived  no  other  means  ot  extricating  him«;lf  from  his  difficulties,  than 
to  entreat  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  iu  a  more  pressing  manuer  thaii  ever 
before,  to  have  the  punishment  denounced  by  the  Bin,  inflicted  on  Luther 
and  hi-i  adherents.  The  Emperor,  an  intelligent  and  impolitic  prince,  found 
himself  reduced  to  a  serious  dilemma  by  this  requisition.  Ou  the  one 
hand  he  did  not  wish  to  displease  the  Pope,  with  wliom  he  stood  in  such 
relations  as  to  need  his  favor.  And  if  he  should  ou  this  occasion  not  oblige 
him,  he  was  certain  of  losing  his  friendship.  On  tlie  other  hand,  without 
the  assumption  that  his  love  of  justice  prevented  him  from  yielding  to  ttie 
desire  of  the  Pope,  yet  his  own  interest  dictated  measures,  which  were  in 
direct  opposition  to  those  of  the  Pope.  He  but  too  clearly  saw  how  abso- 
lutely necessary  it  was,  to  limit  the  arrogant  pretensions  and  claims,  the 
j)Iundeiings  and  violent  proceedings  o(  the  papal  court.  And  to  this  may 
he  added,  that  he  had  become  Emperor  through  the  assistance  of  the 
Elector  of  Saxony,  the  friend  of  Luther,  and  to  whom  on  that  account  he 
owed  gratitude.  If  lie  should  carry  into  execution  the  papal  decree,  he 
had  to  tear  that  the  Elector,  who  in  some  measure  protected  Luther, 
would  thereby  become  offended.  After  weighing  all  these  considerations, 
he  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  break  friendship  with  either  party,  and  sum- 
moned Luther  to  appear  beibre  the  Diet  at  Worms,  which  grand  assembly 
was  held  in  the  year  1521,  to  take  his  trial.  But  by  adopting  this  alterna- 
tive, he  satisfied  neither  party.  The  Pope  who  did  not  wish  au  investiga- 
tion to  be  first  made  ;  but  wanted  the  punisluiient  to  be  immediately 
iuQicted,  was  displeased  by  (his  measure.  And  the  Elector,  as  he  believed 
he  foresaw  nothing  with  greater  certainty,  than  tiiiU  the  jouiney  and  the 
vindication  would  cost  Luther  his  head,  at  first  rf  fused  to  accept  of  the 
proposal.  At  length  however  both  partit  s  assented  to  it,  alter  a  safe  con- 
duct for  his  journey  had  been  provided  fur  Luther.  Luther  hiutself,  seem- 
ed to  be  auiiuated  with  the  greatest  courage.  Among  oilier  things  he  wrote 
to  the  Elector  as  follows:'"  I  will  when  I  am  cited,  if  it  shall  be  in  my 
power,  rather  procure  my  self  to  be  carried  there,  sick,  if  I  shall  not  be 
able  to  go  there  ia  good  health.  For  if  tlio  Emperor  calls  me  thitiier,  there 
is  no  doubt  but  I  am  cail.  d  by  God.  If  (h:?y  isitend  to  conduct  (he  business 
iu  a  violent  manner  it  must  he  intrusled  to  (iod.  He  who  preserved  the 
three  men  in  the  fiery  furaucc  still  lives  and  reigns.  But  if  he  will  not  save 
me,  there  is  but  a  mere  liiCie  at  stiijie,  my  heafl.  For  in  this  alfdir,  danger 
or  safety  ought  not  to  be  legarded,  and  it  is- our  duty  rather  to  take  heed 
that  we  may  not  desert  the  6ospel  wiiicli  we  have  once  adopted,  nor  leave 
it  exposed  to  the  derisiou  of  liiesi?  ungodly  men  ;  but  courageously  shed 
our  blood  in  its  defence  "  And  ou  another  occasion  ho  writes  to  one  of 
his  friends;  "  Do  Lat  iu.ogine  I  shall  recant  in  the  least  degree.  But  I  will 
reply  to  the  Emperor.  If  it  wtre  iiitended  that  I  should  appear  before 
him  for  the  meiv  piirpose  of  makiiiz  a  recantalion,  1  would  !iot  go.  For 
I  could  as  well  here  recant,  if  that  were  the  only  object.  But  if  he  calls 
me  before  him  to  take  my  life,  am!  by  reason  of  my  answer,  siiall  consi- 
der me  asau  enemy  of  the  empire,  I  shall  ofler  to  go  (o  the  Diet.  For  by 
the  grace  of  God  I  shall  not  flee  nor  k;\ve  his  word  iu  danger."  With  these 
sentiments  Luther  commenced  his  journey  to  Woims  on  the  fourth  of  April 
I52i.     An  imperial  herald  and  several  ItuiDcu  :r-eu  accompanied   him  on 


28 


A1'PE.NDI\. 


hisj.mmej.  When  on  tlio  uay,  he  suv  the  papal  tlcciiT  ol  lii>:  cxcomiTiii- 
iiicatioii.  and  the  Ban  uhirli  had  becii  !>siii  d  ajiinst  him,  |Mit  up  in  some 
pi  the  ciUes  through  whitli  lie  passHil.  l!.e  i(i'peri;il  herald  asked  iiim  :  "  will 
yoii  proceed  Doctor  :"'  "  Yes,"  he  atssweied,  '*  notwiih'Slandinjj  tlieir 
iiuving  put  me  to  the  13an."  Wikmk  ver  he  arrived  at  a  cily,  the  people 
ran  toineet  hira,  to  see  the  nouderiiii  man,  who  was  so  bold  as  to  oppose 
the  pope,  who  was  considered  as  a  small  Divinity'.  He  every  where  re 
ceived  the  assurance,  lliat  he  would  l-i'e  like  Joiin  lluss,  wl)o  an  hundred 
years  before  had  been  burned,  upon  account  of  his  attacks  on  popery.  He 
was  advised  secretly  to  return,  and  not  expose  himseK  to  the  tuiy  ol"  his 
eueiuies.  This  was  his  auswei  :  "  Christ  lives,  and  we  will  therefore  enter 
Worms  iu  defiance  olall  the  jrates  ofh'  II,  and  of  those  spirits  who  reign  in 
the  air.  /tndilthey  were  to  kiaiile  a  hre,  whose  flames  between  Witten- 
berg and  Worms  reached  n(i  to  heaven,  yet  will  I,  because  I  have  been 
called,  make  my  appearance,  and  put  myself  between  the  teeth  of  iny  ene 
mies.  acknowledge  Christ,  and  as  to  the  rest,  leave  it  to  his  care  and  direc- 
tion." Luther  had  hardly  arrived  at  Wer.iis,  when  he  was  cited  to  appear 
belore  the  Diet  (ui  the  ibllowin^  day  at  loin'  o  clock  in  the  afternoon.  He 
first  slrengtheue«l  himself  with  a  fervent  prayer,  which  elevated  his  heart, 
and  whicii  he  sent  to  his  God,  and  then  concluding  with  the  following  words, 
went  to  the  Dief  "  O  God  !  thou  art  not  dead  !  thou  livest !  but  1  will 
go  and  die.  Righteous  is  tlie  euuse,  and  thine  it  is.  This  is  resolved  on 
in  thy  name!"  The  couconise  of  people  was  on  this  occasion  so  great, 
that  it  was  found  necessary  to  lead  him  through  secret  passages  to  the 
Town  House,  where  the  Diet  was  as^elnh!ed.  Every  one  wanted  to  sec 
Luther,  and  it  was  with  diffi'  ulty,  that  tlie  military  guard  which  stood 
without,  could  prevent  the  people  from  forcibly  entering  the  Town 
House.  As  he  was  going  into  it  a  Kni;;lit  patted  him  on  the  shoulder,  and 
said  :  *'  Little  Monk,  little  Monk,  you  are  now  going  to  undf  rtake  some- 
thing greater  Ih  ni  I  or  others  of  my  rank  have  ever  done,  even  in  our  hot- 
test militaiy  engagements.  If  your  opinions  are  correct,  and  you  feel  an 
assurance  thai  they  are,  then  go  in  the  name  of  God,  and  be  of  good  cheer, 
God  will  notlorsake  yon."  Some  of  the  memi)ersof  the  Diet  who  were  on 
bis  sitle,  also  encouraged  h  im  with  this  passage  of  scripture  ;  *'  When  they 
shall  deliver  you  up.  take  no  thought  Ijow  or  what  ye  shall  speak ;  for  it  shall 
be  given  you  in  the  same  hour  wln^tye  siiall   speak." 

On  his  a[)pearance  be  o  c  that  angii-t  assembly,  he  was  directed  to  be 
silent  till  fjuestions  should  be  put  to  him.  The  emperor's  speaker  on  the 
occasion  produced  a  binulle  of  books  and  informed  Lulhcr,  that  by  order 
of  his  imperial  majestj,  he  was  diieileii  (o  propose  two  questions  to  him. 
The  hist  was,  whellicr  \n-  acknowledged  those  books  that  went  by  his 
uanie,  to  be  his  om  n,  and  the  second,  wheliier  he  in-ended  to  defend  or  to 
retract  what  was  contained  in  them.  ILpon  tlii-;.  before  any  reply  could 
be  made,  Jerome  Jt^churlf,  a  celebrated  doctor  of  the  civil  laws,  who  had 
come  from  Witlemberg  in  the  chaiacter  of  Liilher's  advocate,  called  out 
with  a  lond  voice,  "You  ought  to  recite  the  titles  of  the  books."  The 
official  then  read  over  the  titles  in  succession,  \mong  which  were  Com- 
mentaries on  the  Psalms,  a  little  tract  on  Good  Works  ;  a  Commentary  on 
the  Lord's  Prayer;  and  other  books  on  christian  subjects,  in  no  way  i  ela- 
ted to  controversy. 

•'  1  shall  answer  the  questions,"  said  Luther,  "as  concisely  as  I  possibly 
can.  First :  unless  the  books  have  been  mutilated  or  altered  by  fanciful 
sciolists,  <>r  by  the  arts  of  my  adversaries,  they  are  certainly  mine.  Because 
this  question  relates  lo  faith  and  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  because  it  con- 
cerns the  word  of  God,  the  most  important  of  all  subjects  in  heaven  and 
iu  earth,  and  which  deservedly  requires  of  us  all  the  most  profound  reve- 


APPENDIX.  29 

rencfi,  itwouM  be  equally  rash  and  dangerous  for  me  to  oive  a  snrMeii  an- 
swer to  such  a  question  ;  since  without  previous  deliberation  I  might  .i>;scrt 
lusij  than  the  subject  demands,  and  more  than  truth  would  aiinnt  ;  both 
which  would  expose  mo  to  condemnation  trom  that  stutfiue  oiC'hrist ; 
*  Wliosoever  dcni.-th  me  belbre  men,  him  will  I  deny  before  my  Father 
whieli  IS  ill  heaven.'  For  this  reason  I  humbly  beseech  your  impe iia!  tn;;- 
jest'  to  grant  me  a  competent  time  lor  consideration,  that  I  may  satisly  the 
inqniy  without  Miiuring  the  wor<l  of  God.  and  witliont  endangering  iny 
own  salvation.  Aiter  some  deliberation,  he  was  allowed  to  defer  his  an- 
swer till  the  next  day,  on  the  express  condition,  however,  that  he  should 
(ieli^Hr  what  he  had  to  say,  viva  voce,  and  not  in  writing. 

Oil  iiis  return  from  the  hall  whe'e  the  Diet  was  assembled,  many  piince<i 
who  were  convinced  of  the  truth  of  his  positions,  exhorted  him  by  no 
means  to  be  disheartened,  but  to  remember  the  words  of  Chi  ist  :  ■  Fear 
not  them  which  kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul  :  biU  raiher 
fear  him  which  is  able  to  dpstroy  both  soul  and  body  in  .hell.  Whosoever 
therefore  shall  confess  me  before  men,  him  will  I  confess  also  before  my 
Father  which  is  in  heaven." 

On  the  following  day  he  was  told  that  he  ought  not  to  have  petitioned 
for  delay,  because  he  had  well  known,  iiir  a  loi;g  time,  what  woiiid  be  tl.e 
nature  of  his  evamination  ;  and  moreover,  that  every  oie  oi.ight  to  be  able 
at  any  moment  to  give  an  account  of  his  faith  ;  and  much  more  a  doctor 
of  great  reputation,  like  Luther,  who  had  been  long  exercised  in  theologi- 
cal discussion;.  At  length,  however  said  the  official,  return  an  answer  to 
the  qursti(jnof  the  emperor,  who  has  so  kindly  ;j ranted  your  request. 

Luther  then  rose,  and  spttke  before  the  emperor,  and  the  princes,  in 
the  German  language  to  the  following  effect. 

*'  I  stand  here  in  obedience  to  'he  commands  of  his  most  serene  imperial 
IT^^j^^s^y.  and  the  most  illustrious  princes,  and  I  earnestly enti eat  that 
they  would  deign  to  listen  to  this  cause  with  clemency,  ft  will  appear 
I  tiust,  to  be  the  cause  of  truth  and  justice  ;  and  therefore,  if  through  igno- 
rance, I  should  fail  to  give  proptr  titles  to  each  of  the  dignified  personages 
whoiiear  rae,  or  if  in  any  otlier  respect  I  should  show  myself  defective  in 
politentss,  they  will  be  pleased  to  accept  ray  apology  with  candour.  I 
have  not  been  a<;customed  to  the  refinements  of  the  court,  but  to  tlie  clois- 
ters of  the  monastery  :  nor  of  myself  have  I  any  thing  further  to  say,  than 
that  hitherto;  1  have  read  lectures  and  composed  books,  with  that  simplicity 
of  mind  which  only  regards  the  glory  of  God  and  the  instruction  of  mankind. 

••To  the  first  question,"  continued  Luther,  •'  I  give  a  plain  and  direct 
answer;  and  in  that  I  shall  persist  forever.  I  did  publish  these  books,  and 
I  am  responsible  for  their  contents,  so  far  as  they  are  really  mine  ;  but  I 
do  not  answer  for  any  alterations  that  have  been  made  in  them,  whether  by 
the  crafty  malice  of  enemies  or  the  imprudent  ofiiciousness  of  friends. 

'*  In  regard  to  the  second  question,  I  humbly  beg  your  most  serene  majes- 
ty and  their  highnesses  to  take  especial  notice,  that  my  publications  are 
by  uo  means  all  of  the  same  kind.  Some  of  ti.em  treat  of  piety,  and  of 
the  nature  of  faith,  and  morals  ;  and  these  subjects  are  handled  in  so  evan- 
gelical a  manner,  that  my  greatest  adversaries  are  con)pelled  to  pronounce 
them  innocent,  profitable,  and  worthy  to  be  read  by  Christians.  The 
Pope's  bull  indeed,  though  it  actually  declares  some  of  my  books  innocent, 
yet  ivitb  a  monstrous  and  cruel  indiscrmination,  condemns  them  all.  Now 
were  I  to  retract  such  writings  I  should  absolutely  stand  alone,  and  con- 
demn those  truths  in  which  friends  and  foes  most  perfectly  agree. 

"There  is  another  species  of  my  publications  in  which  I  endeavour  to  lay 
open  the  system  of  the  papal  government,  and  the  specific  doctrines  of 
the  papists,  who,  in  tact,  by  their  corrupt  tenets  and  bad  examples,  have 


30 


APPENDIX. 


made  luvoc  of  the  christian  worlil,  both  in  regard  to  body  and  sonl.— 
There  is  no  denying  this  :  ivitnes-:  the  universal  complaints  luvr  e.vi>fiiis, 
Low  the  papal  laws  and  traditions  of  men  most  miserably  entangle,  vex  mci 
tear  to  pieces  the  consciences  of  the  faithtiil,  and  aNo  plunder  the  inhabi- 
tants of  this  famous  country  in  ways  most  shameful  and  tyrannital, 
and  scarcely  credible,  notwithstanding  that  Geruimy  by  her  own 
Jaws  has  declared,  that  any  doctrines  or  decrees  of  the  Pope,  wijicli 
are  contrary  to  the  Gospel,  or  the  sentiments  oi  the  fathers,  are  to  be  deem- 
ed erroneous,  and  in  no  degree  obligatory.  If,  therefore,  I  should  revoke 
what  I  have  written  on  these  subjects,  I  should  not  only  confirm  the  wicked 
despotical  proceedings  to  which  I  allude,  but  also  open  a  door  to  fiuther 
abuses  of  power,  that  would  be  still  more  licentious  and  insupportable, 
especially  if  it  were  said  among  the  people,  that  what  I  had  done  was  con- 
firmed by  the  authority  of  his  most  serene  majesty,  and  a  general  meeting 
of  the  empire. 

"Lastly,  the  defences  and  i^eplies  which  I  have  composed  against  such 
individuals  as  have  laboured  either  to  establish  the  Roman  tyranny,  or  to 
luidernune  my  explanations  of  the  fimdamental  principles  of  religion,  cou- 
.stitute  the  third  class  of  my  pubiicatious.  And  in  these,  I  freely  confess, 
I  have  been  betrayed  into  an  aspciirty  oi  expression,  «  hich  neither  becomes 
me  as  a  clergyman,  or  as  aclnistian';  however  I  pretend  not  to  set  ray- 
self  up  for  a  saint,  neither  do  I  plead  for  the  strictness  of  my  life,  but  for  the 
doctrines  of  Christ.  But  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  retract  even  these  writings, 
aslar  as  the  matter  contained  in  them  isc  ncerned  ;  lest  by  such  a  step  I 
should  become  the  patron  of  the  most  arbitrary  and  impious  usurpations, 
which  in  consequence  would  soon  gather  strength,  and  spend  their  fury  on 
the  people  of  God  in  more  violent  outrages  than  ever.  Yet,  since  I  am 
but  a  man  and  therefore  fallible  in  judgment,  it  would  ill  become  me,  in 
supporting  my  poor  paltry  tracts,  to  go  lin  ther  than  my  Lord  and  Master 
Jesus  Christ  did  in  defence  of  his  own  doi  ;ri  les,  who  when  he  was  interro- 
gated concerning  them  before  Annas,  and  had  received  a  blow  from  one  of 
the  officers,  said,  '*  If  I  have  spoken  evil,  bear  witness  of  the  evil,  but  if 
well,  why  smitest  thou  me  ?"  If  then  our  Lord  who  was  infallible,  did 
nevertheless,  not  disdain  to  listen  to  any  thing  that  could  be  said  against 
his  doctrine,  even  by  a  person  of  the  lowest  condition,  how  much  more 
ought  such  a  contemptible  being  as  I,  who  am  all  imperfection  to  be  rea- 
dy to  attend  to  whatever  arguments  can  be  brought  in  the  way  of  objection 
to  my  positions  ?  I  therefore  intreat  yoin-  majesty  and  the  members  of  this 
ilhistrions  assembly,  to  produce  evidence  against  me,  and  however  high, 
or  hovtever  low,  be  the  rank  of  the  person  who  shall  be  able  from  the  holy 
scriptures  to  convince  me  of  error,  1  will  instantly  retract,  and  be  lli*?  fust 
to  throw  the  book  into  the  fire. 

"  Hence  it  will  appear,  that  I  liave  already  deliberated  and  maturely 
weighed,  the  perils  and  sorrows,  the  discord  and  dissentions  which  have 
already  arisen,  and  whieh  may  yet  appear  in  the  world,  through  the  pro- 
mulgation of  my  doctrine,  of  which  I  was  yesterday  so  very  closely  and  ve- 
hemently admonished.  Conoeruing  which  division  of  the  minds  of  men, 
the  opinions  of  others  I  know  not ;  but  for  myself,  I  have  no  higher  cnjoy- 
ment  in  any  earthly  good,  than  when  I  behold  discord  and  dissension  lor  the 
word  of  God  ;  because  this  is  always  the  course  and  residt  of  the  Gospel ; 
as  onr  Lord  Jesus  Christ  dc<lared,  "  J  came  not  to  send  peace  but  a  sword,  I 
came  to  set  a  man  at  variance  with  his  father;"  nevertheless,  this  conten- 
tion cannot  be  imputed  to  the  doctrines  ot  Christ,  but  to  the  corruption  of 
his  adversaries. 

"Permit  me  to  suggest,  for  the  consideration  of  us  all,  that  as  Almighty 
God  is  wonderful  and  terrible   in  counsel,  surely  it  behoves  this   august 


i 


-APPENDIX.  31 

assembly  to  examine  with  special  care,  whether  the  object  which  my  ene- 
mies so  ardently  wish  to  compass,  does  not  in  Tact  amount  to  a  condemna- 
tion of  THE  DIVINE  WORD  :  and  whether  sntli  a  measure,  adopted  by  the 
first  German  di^t  oi' the  new  emperor,  might  not  lead  to  adreadl'id  deluge 
of  evils.  Under  (he  protection  of  God,  there  is  reason  to  angiir  well  of  this 
excellent  joung  prince  ;  but  take  care  that  you  do  not  render  the  prospect 
of  his  government  nnfavonrable  and  inauspicious. 

"  By  a  variety  of  instances  from  holy  writ,  and  particularly  by  the  cases 
of  Pharoah,  the  king  of  Uabylon,  and  the  kings  of  Israel,  I  could  prove  this 
important  point;  viz;  that  men  have  ruined  themselves  at  the  very  momcRt 
when  tiiey  imagined  they  had  settled  and  established  their  kingdoms  in  the 
most  prudent  manner.  The  ruling  principle,  should  be  the  fear  of  God. — 
He  it  is  who  taketli  the  wise  in  their  craftiness,  and  removeth  the  mountains 
and  they  know  not,  and  overturneth  them  in  his  anger. 

"  In  saying  these  things  I  mean  not  to  insinuate,  that  the  great  persona- 
ges, who  condescend  to  hear  me,  stand  in  need  ol  my  instructions  or  admo- 
nitions ;  no — but  there  was  a  debt  which  I  owed  to  my  native  country,  and 
it  was  my  duty  to  dischaige  it.  The  reasons  which  1  have  now  alleged, 
will.  I  trust,  be  approved  by  your  serene  majesty  and  the  princes  :  and  I 
humbly  beg  that  yon  will  disappoint  my  enemies  in  their  uiijust  attempts  to 
render  me  odious  and  suspected.     I  have  done." 

As  soon  as  Luther  had  finished  his  speech,  which  was  delivered  in  the 
German  language,  he  was  ordered  to  say  the  same  things  in  Latin ;  alter 
haviug  recovtivd  himself,  he  did  this  with  prodigious  animation,  and  to  the 
very  great  satisfaction  of  his  friends,  especially  the  elector  of  Saxony.  His 
adversaries  acknowledge  that  he  spoke  for  two  hours  with  the  applause  of  one 
half  of  tiie  assembly:  until  John  Eckius,  the  Emperor's  speaker,  having 
lost  almost  all  patience,  before  Luther  had  vvell  concluded,  cried  out,  in 
much  heat  and  passion,  that  he  had  not  answered  to  the  point ;  that  he 
was  n  >t  called  to  give  an  account  of  his  doctrines  ;  that  these  had  already- 
been  condemned  in  former  councils,  wliose  decisions  were  not  now  to  be 
questioned  :  that  he  was  required  to  say,  simply  and  clearly,  whether  he 
would  or  would  not  retract  his  opinions. 

"  JMy  answer,"  siiid  Luther  instantly,  "shall  be  direct  and  plain. — 
I  cannot  think  myself  boutid  to  believe  either  the  Pope  or  his  councils; 
for  it  is  very  clear,  not  only  that  they  have  often  erred,  but  oftea  contra- 
dicted themselves.  Therefore,  unless  I  am  convinced  by  scripture,  or 
clear  reasons,  my  belief  is  so  confirmed  by  the  scriptural  passaiges  I  have 
produced,  and  ray  conscience  so  determined  to  abide  by  the  word  of  God, 
that  I  neither  can  nor  will  retract  any  thing  ;  for  it  is  neither  safe  nor  inno- 
cent to  act  against  a  man's  conscience.  Here  I  stand.  I  cannot  do  other- 
wise.    May  God  help  me.     Amen." 

Alter  the  diet  had  taken  Liither,s  speech  into  consideration,  their  speak- 
er told  him,  that  he  had  not  answered  with  the  modesty  that  became  his 
character  and  situation  ;  that  it  he  had  recanted  those  books  which  con- 
tained the  main  parts  of  his  errors,  he  would  have  suffered  no  persecution 
for  the  rest  ;  that  fot  him  who  had  revived  the  errors  condemned  at  Cons- 
tance, to  require  a  refutation  and  conviction  from  scripture,  was  a  wild 
proposal  of  a  man  scarcely  in  his  senses  ;  that  upon  such  principles,  noth- 
ing would  be  left  certain  in  the  church  ;  and  that  lor  these  reasons,  he  was 
once  more  asked,  whether  he  intended  to  defend  all  he  had  written  as 
orthodox,  or  whether  he  would  retract  any  part  as  erroneous.  Luther 
persisted:in  his  former  answer  ;  and  intrcated  the  emperor  not  to  permit 
him  to  be  compelled  to  do  violence  to  his  conscience,  by  recanting  whaj; 
he  felt  himself  bound  to  believe  upon  the  authority  of  the  word  of  God, 
unless  he  was  proved  to  be  mistaken  by  evident  arguments  from  scripture. 


32  APPENDIX. 

Councils,  lie  irpeatftl.  have  erred  frequently.  "  Yoii  cjiiiuil  jnove  tiiat." 
said  Kckiiis.  ••  I  will  pledge  myself  tu  do  it,  "  replied  Luther.  But  night 
fomiiig  on.  the  diet  broke  up. 

During;  the  whole  of  this  interesting  scene,  the  special  pnilizans  of  tli6 
Pope  were  filled  with  indignation  ;  and  many  of  the  Spanish  Roman  Cafho- 
li;s  followed  Luther  as  he  relnrned  home  from  tlie  tribunal,  and  showed 
their  enmity  by  long  continiie<l  sneers  and  hisses. 

lai'redible  pains  were  now  taken  by  the  princes,  electors,  and  deputies 
of  various  orders,  to  shake  the  resolution  of  this  hero  of  the  reformation. 
Lntlirr  stood  tirm,  thanked  the  princes  for  their  clemency  arul  uood  will 
towaid  !dm,  and  said.  '•  He  by  no  means  censured  Councils  in  general, 
l.'iit  only  that  paK  of  Uie  proceedings  at  Constance,  in  regard  to  John  Hiiss. 
Uth'^fait!\  of  Christ  was  Indy  set  forth,  and  Christ's  flock  were  fed  in  a 
real  gospel  pasture,  there  would  be  no  need  to  burden  the  church  witii 
human  traditions.  Fie  allowed  that  he  ought  to  obey  magistrates  ;  that 
the  precepts  for  this  purpose  were  to  be  taken  in  their  plain  meaning,  and 
that  he  had  ol'tcn  taught  this  doctrine  in  his  writings.  He  was  ready  to  do 
any  thing,  provided  he  was  not  urged  to  deny  the  clear  word  ofGo<1." 

The  diet  having  found  Luther  inflexibly  determined  to  abide  by  the  sole 
authority  of  the  sacred  scriptines,  and  that  no  throats,  nor  cxhoitations, 
iior  promises  availed  to  make  him  change  his  resolution,  the  emperor  sent 
him  a  niessaie,  dirpctuig  liiai  to  leave  Worms,  "  because  notwithstanding 
the  mo>t  friendly  admonitions  and  intreaties,  he  persisted  in  his  contumacy, 
and  would  not  return  into  the  bosom  of  the  church." 

Lntiier  was  allowed  twenty  one  days  to  return  to  Wittemburg  ;  during 
which  time  the  public  faith  was  pledged  for  his  safety  ;  but  he  was  strictly 
enjoined  not  to  preach  to  the  people  in  the  course  of  hisjoiu'ney. 

"  This  is  the  Lord's  will,"  said  Martin,  "  and  blessed  be  the  name  of 
the  Lord  1"  He  then  tlirouo;!)  the  otticial,  returned  most  respcctfu!  thanks 
to  the  emperor,  and  the  members  of  the  assembly,  for  their  patience  in 
hearing  him,  and  their  liberal  treitnuu*  in  general.  He  said,  he  had  wished 
for  nothing  but  a  reform  in  n  iigi(»n  on  the  plan  of  the  holy  scriptines; 
nor  did  he  now  request  any  favmir  f,r  himself,  but  to  be  allowed  the  free 
nse  of  the  word  of  God.  Let  that  he  oniy  granted,  and  he  was  willing  to 
undergo  every  thing  without  exreption,  tor  the  sake  of  his  imperial  majesty 
and  the  imperial  orders.  He  left  Wo:  ms  on  the  iollowingtiay.  tlie  26tli  of 
April,  under  a  strong  escort,,  after  having  received  tiom  princes  and  other 
persons  of  high  distiiittion.  eitraordinay  proofs  of  good  will  and  favour. 
Princes  of  the  highest  rank  visited  at  his  lodgings.  The  elector  of  Treves 
had  even  invited  him  to  his  table,  where  however  the  extraordinary  cir- 
cumstance took  place,  that  at  the  very  moment  when  Luther  was  piilting 
the  wiiu;  glass  to  his  lij)s,  it  biirsled.  Conjectures  of  every  kind,  especially 
that  of  the  possibility  of  poison  having  been  introduced  into  the  glass, 
gained  possession  of  the  niiinis  of  all  who  were  present  in  tlie  moment  of 
surprise.  But  Luther  with  much  composure  of  mind  put  down  tlie  glass, 
and  said,  '•  the  liquor  was  not  bestowed  on  me  :  the  bursting  of  the  glass 
ivas  perhaps  occasiisned  by  the  sudden  transition  from  coldness  to  warmth 
produced  in  the  glass  by  the  wine," 

XI.  Page  201.     Zuinglitis,  Cahin,  Cranmer  and  Knox. 

It  was  proposed  to  insert  distinct  biographical  notices  of  these  eminent 
Reformers,  comprehending  some  of  the  most  interesting  ocnrrenees  in 
their  eventfu  I  history  ;  but  the  completion  of  the  design  was  unavoidably 
precluded  ;  because  circumstances  did  not  justify  the  enlarg'Uient  of  the 
work  beyond  its  originally  proposed  limits — the  tbilowing  narrative  will 
however  enable  us  to  fttim  a  correct  judgment  of  the  prominent  characte- 
ristics which  these  luminaries  of  the  Reformatioa  exhibited. 


AtrE;NDtx.  33 

ZUINGLIUS. 

A  few  detached  rirci!in«'ai)ces  in  the  liCeofthis  'ndepiil,  pious,  zealous, 
enlightened,  and  eminent  Rcfbinier  «ill  lucidly  iJlustiate  his  spirit  and 
iriotives  and  charatteristics.  He  was  born  ou  January  1,  1  134;  and  «vas 
killed  in  1.W0. 

His  Blfdical  studies. — "  Zwinijle  ha<l  resided  lour  years  at  Basil,  when 
the  huriihers  olGlaris,  (he  chiei  town  of  tlie  canton  of  tliat  name,  chose 
him  lor  their  pastor.  He  accepted  this  sitnation,  wliicli  brought  him  near- 
er to  his  family,  and  repaired  thither  alter  receiving  lioly  orders,  which 
were  conferred  nptyi  him  by  the  Bishop  of  Constance,  in  whose  diocege 
tiie  canton  of  Claris  was  situated.  In  order  woithily  to  acquit  himself  of 
liie  ministry  entrusted  to  liim,  Zwingle  (houjht  that  he  stood  in  need  of 
deeper  and  more  extensive  learnin»;  than  he  already  possessed.  He  accord- 
ingly resolved  to  recommence  his  theological  studies  after  a  plan  that  he  had 
l}imself  traced  out,  and  which  was  very  ditferent  from  that  followed  in  the 
universities.  An  assiduous  perusal  of  the  new  testament  preceded  his  fresh 
reseaiches.  In  order  to  render  himself  more  familiar  with  St.  Paul's  epis- 
tles, he  copied  the  Greek  text  with  his  own  hand,  adding  in  the  margin  a 
multitude  of  notes  extracted  from  the  lathers  of  the  church,  as  well  as  his 
own  observations,  and  this  interesting  manuscript  still  exists  in  the  public 
library  ol  Zurich.  Tne  attention  of  Zwingle  was  from  this  time  directed 
to  the  passages  of  Scripture  cited  in  the  canon  of  the  mass,  and  to  those 
which  serve  as  a  basis  to  the  dogmas  and  most  essential  precepts  of  the 
church.  Their  interpretation  had  long  been  fixed,  but  Zwingle  thought  it 
inexcusable  in  a  man  appointed  to  instruct  his  fellow  Christians  to  rest  upon 
the  decision  of  others  on  points  that  be  might  himself  examine.  He  there- 
fore followed  the  only  method  to  discover  the  true  sense  ot  an  author, 
which  consists  in  interprtting  an  obsciue  passage  by  a  similar  and  dearer 
o  16  ;  and  an  uniisual  word  by  one  more  familiar  ;  regard  being  had  to  time, 
place,  the  intention  of  the  writer,  and  a  nnndjer  of  other  circinnstances 
wlii^h  modify  and  otten  change  the  signiticalion  of  words.  After  endea- 
voring to  explain  the  text  of  the  Gospel  by  itself,  Zwingle  also  made  him- 
self acquainted  v\iththe  interpretations  given  by  ^ther  theologians,  especially 
by  the  lathers  of  the  church,  who,  having  lived  nearer  the  times  of  the  a- 
postles,  uiust  have  understood  their  language  belter  than  thf^-  modern  doc- 
tors. It  was  in  the  wiitings  of  the  fathers  that  he  also  studied  the  manners 
and  customs  of  the  first  Christians  ;  followed  them  through  tie  persecutions 
of  which  they  were  the  victims  ;  observed  the  rapid  progress  ol  the  rising 
church  ;  and  admired  that  astonishing  revolution  which  by  degrees  elevated 
the  new  leiigion  to  the  throne  of  the  Ceasars." 

His  Preaching. — •>  Without  directly  attacking  the  abuses  authorized  by 
the  Romish  chur«h,  he  confined  himself  in  his  sermons  to  the  doctrines 
vvhirh  he  found  clearly  laid  down  in  the  Scriptures,  and  to  the  mor?!  pre- 
cepts to  be  deduced  from  them.  He  took  every  opportunity  of  repeating 
lo  his  audience,  that  in  matters  of  faith,  we  ouglit  to  refer  ourselves  to  the 
word  of  God  contained  in  the  Scriptures,  to  regai-d  as  superfluous  all  that 
was  unknown  ;  and  as  false,  all  that  was  contrary  to  them.  The  time  was 
not  yet  come  for  unfolding  the  consequences  of  this  uiaxim  ;  it  was  necessary 
lo  prepare  the  minds  of  ujcn  to  receive  the  new  light,  and  Zwingle  thought 
that  this  coidd  not  be  done  better  than  by  insisting  upon  the  practice  of  all 
the  Cinislian  virtues,  while  most  of  the  preachers  of  his  lime  recommended 
nothing  to  their  Hocks  but  the  external  exercises  of  devotion." 

It  was  on  the  day  appointed  for  the  commemoration  of  the  supposed  mi- 
raculous consecration  of  the  Abbey  of  Einsiedein,  that  Zwingle,  imagining 
the  minds  of  his  auditors  in  a  measure  prepared  for  the  attempt,  struck  the 

5 


34  AITENDIX. 

fisst  puhlic  nn<1  dciisive  blow  at  Hie  reiiininj  evils.  An  immeiKe  crowd  was 
drawn  togcilipr  to  listen  to  th<  aiinn.i'  disconrse.  In  the  midst  of  tlir«  vast 
assr;nl)'y  Zwingie  mounted  the  pMl|>  t.  **  By  an  exordium  full  ol  warmth 
and  tet  ling  he  dispo^e^l  thr  mmd  to  collcetedness  and  attention  :"  and 
then,  alluding   otlie  eause  of  their  present  meeting,  broke  forth  as  follows  : 

"  'Cea«e  to  bilirvc  that  (»')d  resides  in  this  temple  more  ihau  in  every 
other  place.  Whatever  region  of  the  earth  yon  may  inhabit,  he  is  near  you. 
he  surrounds  vou.  he  grants  yonr  prayers,  if  they  deserve  to  be  g'-antod  ; 
but  it  ^s  not  hy  useless  vows,  by  long  pilgrimages,  ofl'erings  destined  t'»  adorn 
senseless  images,  that  you  can  obtain  the  <!ivine  favour  :  resist  temptations, 
repress  guilty  desiie^.  shun  all  injustice,  relieve  the  inifortunate,  console  the 
afflicted  .   these  are  the  works  pieasnig  to  the  Lord.' 

••  '  Did  these  cliosen  of  God  at  whose  feet  you  come  hither  to  prostrate 
yourselves,  enter  into  111  aven  by  relying  on  tlie  merit  of  anotliei' ?  No,  it 
was  by  talking  ni  the  path  of  the  liw,  by  fulfilling  the  will  of  the  Most  High,, 
by  lacing  death  that  they  migl't  remain  liaiHiliil  to  their  Redeemer  Imitate 
the  holiness  ot  their  lives,  walk  in  their  foots; eps,  suffering  yourselves  to  be 
turn^^d  dsde  neither  by  dangers  nor  seductions  ;  this  is  the  honour  that  yon, 
ought  lo  pay  tin  m.  But  in  the  day  of  troiihi'^'  put  your  trust  in  none  but 
God.  who  ( i>ated  the  heavens  and  the  eaitli  wit!i  a  word  :  at  the  approach 
of  death  iiivoke  only  Christ  Jesus,  who  has  bought  you  with  his  blood,  and 
is  the  sole  Mediator  between  God  and  m.ia.'  " 

"  Language  so  unespect'  ti  produced  impressions  difficult  to  describe  : 
admiration  and  indignation  were  painted  allernately  on  every  face  while 
Zwingie  was  speaking  ;  and  when  at  Ungth  the  orator  had  concluded  his 
discourse,  a  confused  murnuM- bell  ay  ed  the  deep  emotions  he  had  excited. 
Thejr  evpiession  was  reslramed  at  fir^t  bv  ihp  holiness  of  the  place,  but  as 
soon  as  they  could  be  freely  vented,  some,  gni(ied  by  prejudice  or  peis*ial 
interest,  d'Clared  themselves  against  this  new  doctrine  ;  others,  and  those 
were  the  greater  number,  felt  a  new  light  breaking  in  upon  them,  and  ap- 
plauded what  they  heard  with  transport.  Some  pilgrims  were  seen  to  carry 
back  their  offerings." 

i/';v  /irst  celehralion  of  the  Lord's  Supper. — On  Easter  Sunday,  a  table 
coveied  "itli  a  white  cloth,  unieavened  bread,  and  cnps  filled  with  wine, 
recalled  tin  remendirance  «f  the  last  repast  of  our  Redeemer  with  his  dis- 
ciples. The  first  priest,  who  was  Zw  ngle  himsell',  announced  to  the  faith- 
ful, that  th'  religions  ict  which  tli,ey  were  ationt  to  celebrate  would  become 
to  eac  oi' tiiein  tin  pledge  of  salvation,  or  the  cause  of  perdition,  accord- 
ing to  the  ,  jsp,,sitions  ttiey  might  bring  to  it  ;  and  he  endeavored  by  a  fer- 
▼ent  ptayer,  to  .\(  ite  in  alt  tlieir  hearts  repentance  tor  past  faults,  and  a 
resolution  to  live  a  mew  iile.  Alter  this  prayer,  Zwingie  and  the  t"o 
minisleis  who  assisted  hsm,  presented  mutually  to  each  other  the  bread  and 
the  cu|)  protiiMineiiig.it  the  same  time  the  words  uttered  by  Jesus  Christ  at 
tin  nsiitution  of  Ihe  last  supper  ;  tiny  afterwards  distributed  the  symbols 
ofth'  body  and  blood  of  the  Kodeenicr  to  all  the  Christians  present,  who 
list  ijeii  with  tlie  most  profound  and  rt'verent  attention  to  the  reading  of  the 
last  words  of  our  Lord,  as  they  l;av(^  been  transmitted  to  us  by  his  beloved 
(lisi'ifd;  .  A  second  prayer,  and  hymns  fidl  of  the  expression  of  love  and 
gntiiiide  towards  Hun  who  had  voluntarily  endured  a  cruel  and  ignomini- 
ous death  to  save  repentant  sinners,  terminated  this  solemn  and  affecting 
ceremony.  Zwingie  was  of  opinion,  that  to  celebrate  the  Lord's  Supper 
in  this  manner,  was  to  bring  it  back  to  its  ancient  simplicity,  and  to  unite 
all  th.t  coiild  render  it  nselnl.  The  event  proved  that  he  was  not  mistaken ; 
the  churches  could  scarcely  contain  the  iin  .lense  crowd  that  came  to  parti- 
cipate in  thisreligious  solomnity,  and  the  good  works  and  numerous  recoil, 
ciliations  uhieii  ibllowed  it,  proved  tiie  sincerity  of  the  devotion  with  which 
it  was  attended." 


APPENDIX.  35 

His  death. — Zwingle  was  Cliapluiii  of  the  Swiss  Protestant  Army,  who 
\rere  surprised  and  involved  in  an  nnequai  conflict.  '•  In  tiio  Iieginning  of 
the  battle,  while  Zwingle  was  encouragnis  the  troops  by  liis  exhoi  tations, 
Jie  received  a  moitai  wound,  fell  in  the  press,  and  remained  senseless  on 
the  field  of  battle  (vhile  the  enemy  were  pnrsiiins  their  victory.  On  re- 
covering his  couscionsness,  he  raised  himself  wiih  ditfienlty,  crossed  his 
leeble  hands  npon  his  breast,  and  lilted  his  dying  eyes  to  heaven.  S>!me 
Catholic  soldiers  who  had  remained  behind,  fiuinn  him  in  this  atiitude. 
Wilhont  knowing  him,  they  ottered  him  a  coidessor  .•  Zwingle  wonid  have 
replied,  but  was  unable  to  articulate;  he  refnsed  by  a  motion  of  the  head. 
The  soldiers  then  exhorted  him  to  recommend  his  soul  to  the  Holy  Vir:;in. 
A  second  sign  of  refnsal  enraged  them.  '  Die  then,  obstinate  heretic  !' 
cried  one,  and  pierced  him.  with  his  sword. 

•'  It  was  not  till  the  next  day  that  the  body  of  the  Reformer  was  fonnd, 
and  exposed  to  the  view  of  the  army.  Among  those  whom  curiosity  attract- 
ed, several  had  kttowu  him,  and  without  sharing  his  religions  opinions,  had 
admired  his  eloquence,  and  done  justice  to  the  uprightness  of  his  inten- 
tions :  these  were  unable  to  view  his  features,  which  death  had  not  ehanget.', 
without  emotion.  A  former  colleague  of  Zwingle's,  who  had  relt  Zurich 
on  account  of  the  Reformation,  was  among  the  crowd.  He  gazed  a  long 
time  upon  him  who  had  been  his  adversary,  and  at  length  said  with  emo- 
tion, '  Whatever  may  have  been  thy  faith,  I  am  sure  that  thou  wast  alwajs 
sincere,  and  thatthoa  lovedsl  thy  country.  May  God  iiike  thy  soul  to  his 
mercy  !'  " 

CALVIN. 

This  celebrated  Reformer  was  horn  in  1509  and  died  in  1564.  One  of 
the  most  curiously  interesting  and  painful  consideiations  attached  to  his 
uame  and  memory  is  the  ceaselcs  obloquy  and  hatred  witli  which  "  this 
great  luminary  of  the  Chistian  Church"  in  every  giuieration  has  been  as- 
sailed The  others,  notwithstanding  all  their  persecutions  \vhen  living, 
have  received  their  eulogies  snue  their  death,  but  Calvin  is  yet  the  inces- 
sant source  of  the  most  obstreperous  vituj.eration.  While  this  proves  the 
effervescence  of  human  depravity,  does  it  not  also  lurnish  a  strong  argu- 
ment in  proof  of  his  doctrinal  expositions? 

Labours. — During  a  fortnight  in  each  month  he  preached  every  day  : 
gave  three  lectures  in  theolo<jy  every  week  ;  assisted  at  all  the  delibera- 
lions  of  the  Consistory,  and  at  the  meetings  of  the  pastors ;  met  the  Congre- 
gation every  Friday  :  instructed  the  French  Churrhes  by  the  frequent  ad- 
vices they  solicited  from  him  ;  defended  the  Reformation  from  the  attacks 
of  its  enemies,  and  particularly  those  of  the  French  priests.  The  Council 
charged  him  with  many  painful  and  ditni-uit  commissions,  and  he  was  obli- 
ged to  undertake  long  and  frequent  joijrneys.  The  Council,  who  knew 
that  he  was  an  excellent  civilian,  as  well  as  a  thuoiogian,  consulted  him 
habitually  on  all  important  concerns.  He  w  as  uarticulariy  enipioyeil  in 
framing  the  edicts  and  Ipgislative  acts  of  the  town,  which  were  completed 
and  approved  in  the  year  ],'j13.  By  his  reputation  and  his  eloquence  he 
prevented  the  usual  troubles  of  a  rising  government ;  and  inspired  confi- 
dence amongst  the  different  bodies  of  the  state.  iMontesquicu  has  rcm.uked  ; 
•'  The  Genevese  ought  to  bless  the  moment  of  the  birth  of  Calvin,  and  that 
of  his  arrival  within  the  walls  of  Geneva." 

Disinlercatedness .—*'  Eckius  bfing  sent  by  the  pope,  legate  into  France, 
upon  his  return  resolved  to  take  (Geneva  in  his  way,  on  purpose  to  see  Cal- 
vin ;  and  if  occasion  were,  to  attempt  icdncing  him  to  the  Roman  Church. 
Therefore,  when  Eckius  was  come  within  a  league  of  Geneva,  he  left  his 
retinue  there,  and  went,  accompanied  but  wjtb  one  uiau,  to  the  city,  in  the 


36  APPENDIX. 

forenoon.  Setting  up  liis  hoises  at  an  inn,  lie  iiKiiiiiod  vThere  t  alvin  lirni ; 
whose  liouse  being shuwn  him.  hr  knocked  at  the  door,  and  Calvin  hiinscit 
camt^  to  opec  it  to  iiim.  Eikiii><  inquiring  lor  Mr.  Calvin,  he  was  tolil  l!<- 
was  the  person.  Kckius  acquainted  iiini  that  he  was  a  stranger  ;  and  having 
heard  much  of  his  lame.  \va^  come  to  wait  upon  him.  Calvin  invitetl  him 
to  come  in,  and  lie  entered  the  Imnsc  with  him  ;  vvhert-,  discoursing  ofniany 
things  concerning  religion,  Eckiiis  perceived  Calvin  to  be  an  ingenious 
learned  nnau,  and  desired  to  knoiv  il"  he  h;id  not  a  garden  to  ualk  in  ;  to 
which  CaJvin  replying  he  liad,  they  both  went  into  it  ;  and  mere  Eckiiis  be- 
gan to  iuqtiire  ot  tiiiu,  why  he  kit  the  l{oiri:in  Chnicli  ;  and  oflVrcd  him 
some  arguments  to  persuade  him  to  return;  hut  Calvin  could  by  means  be 
p  -  uaded  to  think  of  it.  At  last,  Eckius  told  him  that  he  would  put  his 
life  i  I  his  hands :  and  then  said  he  was  Eckiiis,  the  pope's  legate.  At  tim 
discovery,  Calvin  was  not  a  little  siii  prised  ;  and  begged  his  pardon  that  he 
had  not  treated  him  wilii  the  respect  due  to  his  quality.  Eckiiis  returned 
the  compliment;  and  told  him  if  he  would  comeback  to  the  Roman 
Church,  he  would  certainly  procure  for  him  a  Cardinal's  cap.  But  Calvin 
was  not  to  be  moved  by  such  an  cttbr.  Eckius  then  asked  him  what  reven- 
ue he  bad  ;  he  told  the  Cardinal  he  had  that  house  and  garden,  and  fifty 
Jivres  per  annum,  beside  an  aiutiial  present  ol'  some  wine  and  corn,  on 
which  he  lived  very  contentedly.  E<:kii!s  told  him,  that  a  man  of  his  parts 
deserved  a  greater  revenue  ;  and  then  renewed  his  invitation  to  come  over 
to  the  Roniish  Church,  promiving  him  a  better  stipend  if  he  would.  But 
Calvin,  giving  him  thanks,  assured  him  he  was  well  satisfied  with  his  condi- 
tion. About  this  time  dinner  was  ready  ;  when  he  entertained  his  gue.ot  as 
well  as  he  could,  excused  the  defecls'of  it,  and  paid  him  great  respe«;t. 
Eckius,  after  dinner,  desired  to  know  if  he  might  not  be  admitted  to  see 
the  church,  which  anciently  was  the  Cathedral  oftliat  city.  Calvin  very 
readily  answered  that  he  might  :  accordingly,  he  s^nt  to  the  officers  to  be 
ready  witli  the  keys,  and  desired  some  of  the  syndics  to  be  there  present, 
notacquauiting  them  who  the  stranger  was.  As  soon,  therefore,  as  it  was 
convenient,  they  both  went  towards  the  chuich  ;  and  as  Eckius  was  coming 
out  of  Calvin's  house,  be  drew  out  a  purse,  with  about  one  himdred  pistole.';, 
and  presented  it  to  Calvin  ;  hut  Caivin  desired  to  be  excused.  Eckius 
told  Ijim  he  gave  it  to  buy  books,  as  well  as  to  express  his  respect  for  him. 
Calvin,  with  much  regret,  took  the  purse,  and  they  proceeded  to  the  church, 
where  the  syndics  and  officeis  waited  upon  them;  at  the  sight  of  whom, 
he  thoiiglit  he  had  been  bctruy«'d,  and  whispered  his  thoughts  in  the  ear  o\' 
Calviu,  who  assured  him  of  \\U  saf.  ty.  Thereupon  they  went  into  the 
church  ;  and  Eckius  having  seen  all,  toid  Calvin  he  did  not  expect  to  find 
things  iu  so  decent  an  order,  hiving  been  toid  to  the  contrary.  After  having 
taken  a  iull  view  of  every  tlimg,  Eckius  was  returning  out  of  the  church  ; 
but  Calvin  stopped  him  a  liule.  and  calling  the  syndics  and  otfi't  rs  together, 
took  out  the  purse  of  gold  wliich  Eckius  had  given  him.  telling  th»m  that 
be  had  received  that  gold  from  this  woithy  slranger,  anil  that  now  he  gave 
it  to  the  poor;  and  so  put  it  all  into  the  poor-box  that  was  kept  there. 
The  syndics  thanked  the  stranger,  and  Eckius  admired  the  cliari  y  and  mod- 
esty of  Caivin.  When  they  were  come  out  of  the  ctiurcb,  Calvin  invited 
Eckius  again  to  his  house  ;  but  he  replied  that  he  must  depart  :  so  thanking 
hiin  for  ail  liis  civilities,  offered  to  lake  his  leave.  IJut  Calvin  waited  upon 
him  to  fhe  inn,  and  walked  with  him  a  mile  out  of  the  territories  of  Gene- 
va, where,  with  great  compliments,  tlicy  took  a  farewell  of  each  other." 

/Ft7Z.—"  J  give  thanks  to  God,  that,  taking  pity  on  me,  whom  he  hath 
♦  reated  and  placed  in  this  world,  he  1  ath  delivered  me  out  of  the  thick  daik- 
iicss  of  idolatry  iuto  which  I  was  plunged  ;  and  bath  brought  me  into  the 
li^lit  of  bis  Gosp«),  and  made  me  11  pjTrtaiker  of  i'he  doctr.ne  of  salvation, 


APPENDIX.  ,37^ 

whereof  I  was  most  uinvoithy.  And  he  hath  not  only  gently  anil  gra,cious!y 
Ijorne  »vith  my  I'aiilLs  and  sins,  ibr  wliich  I  deseived  to  be  lejt^cted  of  him, 
and  cast  out,  but  hath  vonclisaled  to  use  my  labonrs  in  piculiing  and  pub- 
livliing  the  trnlh  olhis  Gospel.  And  I  declare  that  it  i.>  my  wjsii  and  inten- 
tion to  continne  iu  the  same  Jailh  and  religion,  havinji  no  other  hope  or 
reinsLe  but  in  iiis  gratuitous  adoption  oi'  me,  upon  v^liiiii  is  ibunded  ail  my 
salvation  ;  embiacing  the  grace  which  he  has  given  me  in  Jesus  Ci)rist,  and 
acceplmglhe  merit  of  Ids  death  and  passion,  that  so  all  my  sins  may  be  bu- 
ried ,  and  best  eching  Him  so  to  wash  and  cleanse  me  in  the  blood  oi'  that 
grtal  Redeemer,  which  was  shed  for  all  poor  sinners,  that  in  his  image  I 
may  appeal  belbre  his  face.  I  declare  also,  liiat,  accordin'^  to  the  measure 
ol  grace  bestowed  upon  me,  I  have  endeavored  to  teach  his  word  in  its  pu- 
rity, as  well  in  sermons  as  iu  writings,  and  endeavoured  iaitliiiiUy  to  ex- 
pound the  Holy  Scriptnies  ;  and  that  in  all  the  disputes  which  I  have  had 
with  the  tncmies  of  truth,  I  have  never  used  either  craftiness  or  sophistry, 
but  have  fairly  maintained  the  truth.  But,  alas  !  my  zeal,  if  it  deserve  the 
nauje,  has  been  so  cold  and  unworthy,  that  1  feel  myself  highly  indebted  in 
all,  and  through  all  :  and  if  it  were  not  for  his  infinite  bounty,  all  the  zeal 
1  iiave  (iiscovcred  would  appear  as  light  as  smoke,  and  the  giaces  which  he 
has  btstoweti  upon  me  would  only  render  me  more  guilty.  So  lliat  my  only 
lelnge  is,  ihat  He  being  the  Father  of  mercy.  1  trust  he  will  be,  and  appear 
the  Katlicr  oi  so  miserable  a  sinner." 

Death- — The  yeai-  15G4,  the  first  of  his  eternal  felicity,  occasioned  a 
deep  and  lasting  grief  to  Geneva.  On  the  secom  of  February  he  deliver- 
ed Li^last  seimon  and  theological  lecture.  His  athsma  having  deprive,! 
hiiii  ol  liie  use  of  bis  voice,  he  seldom  spoke,  although  carried  to  the  house 
of  noisuip.  Being  of  a  dry  and  feeble  teaiperaim iit,  an<i  strongly  inclin. 
edto  consumption,  he  slept  very  unsoundly.  During  ten  years,  at  least,  he 
ate  no  dinner,  taking  no  nourishment  until  supper  time.  He  was  subject 
to  a  headache,  the  only  lemedy  for  which  was  fasting  ;  on  account  ot  which 
he  fcniatied  sometimes  thirty-six  hours  without  eating.  He  was  frequentiv 
attacked  by  a  distressing  malady,  brought  on  partly  by  preaching ;  and 
five  yeais  icfore  his  death  he  was  seized  with  a  spitting  of  blood.  He 
was  no  sooner  cured  o^"  the  quartan  ague,  than  he  was  attacked  by  the  gout ; 
he  was  aflerwaids  afflicted  with  the  cbolic,  and,  a  few  months  before  hivS 
death,  with  the  stone.  Alliicted,  however,  as  he  was  with  so  many  mala- 
dies, he  was  never  known  to  pronounce  a  word  unworthy  of  a  Christian,  oi' 
eveuofa  man  of  constancy  and  tonrag(.  In  his  greatest  agonies,  h.ting  up 
his  eyes  to  heaven,  he  was  acciistomcd  only  to  repeat  the  v\oids,  'How 
long.  O  Lord  V  When  in  health,  he  frequently  made  use  of  these  words, 
with  reference  to  the  calamities  o!  his  brethren  in  Jesus  Christ,  whose  af- 
flictions were  much  more  painful  to  him  than  his  own.  Wiieu  importuned 
not  to  aictate  or  v^r;te,  during  his  illness,  '  U  ould  yi,u.'  said  he,  'that  when 
the  Lord  comes,  he  should  surprise  me  in  idleness  ?" 

Having  received  a  final  viMt  from  the  syndics,  from  all  the  ministers  of 
Geneva  audits  vicinity,  and  from  his  beloved  friend  Farel,  he  seemed  to 
have  closed  bis  connection  with  merely  earthly  objects.  From  this  time  to 
the  period  of  his  death  he  WciS  incessantly  employed  in  prayer  to  God.  It 
was,  indeed,  in  a  low  voice,  interrupted  by  a  shortness  of  breath,  with 
which  he  was  oppressed  ;  but  his  sparkling  eyes,  constantly  directed  to- 
ward heaven,  and  the  serenity  of  his  countenance,  discovered  the  ardor  of 
his  petitions,  and  his  contidence  in  the  mercy  of  God.  In  his  most  violent 
pains  ae  frequently  repeated  those  words  of  David  ;  "I  was  dumb,  Lord, 
because  thou  didst  it."  And  sometimes  tiiose  of  Isaiah  ;  '*  I  inouin  like 
the  dove."  And  frtquently,  lifting  up  his  heart  to  God,  he  would  ex- 
claim, "  Lord, thou  bruisest  me,  but  1  snfter  with  patience,  since  it  is  thy 


38 


APPENDIX. 


Iiaiul  that  hath  (lone  it."  To  admit  all  the  persons  who  wished  to  evjiies 
the!.  I  to;ret  at  losing  him,  liic  door  of  the  cliambcr  must  have  Ik  in  open" 
night  and  day.  Bntas  he  spcike  with  ditiicnlty.Jie  requeslid  tl..t  li:>.  iiiends 
ivui.ld  oe  contented  to  pray  to  God  fur  him.  and  .s[»are  tliunsdvis  the 
trouble  ofvisi'lng  hint.  On  being  vi>iti'd  by  his  intimate  and  liigiiiy  veined 
Iritiul.  lieza,  he  iniiirnied  iiim,  that  lie  made  it  a  malttr  of  eonsii me 
not  to  divert  tiim,  in  tlie  smallest  decree,  lioui  the  dnties  of  his  charuit ,  so 
innch  had  he  the  interest  of  the  clnnoh.  and  ttif  eiory  ol  God,  at  heart,  in 
this  state  lie  continnedmitii  the  IStiioI'May,  exhibiting  a  perleet  resignation 
and  comibrting  his  li iends.  And,  as  on  this  day  they  were  aecnsloiucd  to 
partake  of  a  meal  together,  in  token  oftheir  intimate  liiendship,  he  was 
unxions  tiiat  they  shonid  snp  in  (he  hall  ofhisLonse;  and  being  eairied 
thither  from  his  chamber,  he  made  nse  of  these  words  on  enti  ring  :  '•  I 
am  come  to  see  you,  my  brethren,  and  to  seat  myself  at  table  with  you  lor 
the  last  time."  He  then  otiVred  np  the  nsnal  prayer,  ate  a  little,  and  dis- 
ccni.si;d  in  a  manner  woitiiy  of  hi*  |)iety,  and  of  his  zeal;  and  whtn  his 
weakness  obliged  iiim  to  retire  to  his  chamber,  looking  at  the  comptaiy 
with  a  smiie,  "  Tliis  vvaii,"  said  he,  "will  not  prevent  my  being  united 
witli  yon  in  spirit." 

What  he  had  predicted  liappened  ;  for  until  this  day,  howevir  weak,  he 
had  never  lailed  to  rise,  and  to  be  placed' before  liis  table.  But  aflpr  tliis 
night  lie  rewjained  confined  to  liis  bed,  so  thin  Mid  c.xhansied  ttiat  breath 
only  remained,  though  his  face  was  not  miuh  altered.  Oil  th.  day  ot  his 
death,  which  was  the  i'4tli  of  May,  he  appeared  to  speak  with  lessdiiticiilly, 
and  more  strength.  But  it  was  tlie  lust  eflort  of  natuie.  .4i»ont  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  signs  of  <!eath  appeare<l  suddenly  in  his  face; 
he  continued  speaking,  however,  with  great  propriety,  niilil  Ids  last  breath, 
when  he  appeared  rather  to  fall  asleep  than  die.  Tims  was  this  great  light 
o!  the  piolestaut  church  extingnished.  On  the  day  Ibllowing,  the  whole 
city  w.i.-i  plunged  into  the  most  inconceivable  si'ief.  For  the  republic  le- 
gretleu  tlie  wisest  of  its  citizens  ;  the  church  its  faithful  pastor;  the  school 
its  incoujparable  master;  and  all  bewailed  their  common  father,  the  source 
of  their  joy  ana  cousolatiou. 

CRANMER. 


This  excellent  worthy  among  the  Reformers  was  not  only  a  luminary  for 
his  learning,  perseverance  and  z,eal.  but  exhibited  a  constellation  oi  other 
viitucs,  which  peculiarly  qualilied  him  for  Ids  mflnential  rank  in  the  Kng- 
lish  nation.  While  lie  knew  no  fear  either  in  conintiui  tlie  Pope's  aiili- 
ctiistiau  assumptions,  nv  ileiiiy's  tyrannic  and  contra 'ictory  claims;  even 
when  every  contrivance  was  in  operation  against  his  repniation  and  life  ; 
he  was  so  meek,  humble,  patient  and  forgiving  to  all  his  opponent^,  that  it 
became  a  common  ftioverb;  "  do  unto  my  Lortl  of  Canterbury  d'spleasurc 
and  then  you  may  be  sure  to  have  him  your  Irieml  while  he  livetli  "  'I'he 
uoblest  eulogy  which  could  be  given  of  his  integrity  of  lu  art,  and  gentleness 
of  disposition.  The  following  exaiDjde  of  liis  lorbeuauce  fnmislies  an  in- 
tere>ling  illiislration.  not  only  of  ll»<-  Rilomier's  cliaraeter,  but  also  of  the 
manners  of  the  times  ;  it  is  extracted  in  the  antiquated  narrative  b(  tjiieath- 
cd  to  us  by  Fox  frotn  his  own  edition  of  tin*  book  of  Mart}  rs— the  old  black 
letter  type  and  the  orihography  being  <haiigen. 

*•  It  chanced  an  ignorant  priest  in  th<  noit'.  parts,  he  was  a  kinsman  of 
one  Cliersy  a  grocer,  dwelling  in  Loudon,  to  Mt  on  a  time  with  .  >  .h  ish- 
bor:,  .11  the  alehouse  wiijiin  his  own  pari>li.  wlieie  w,i«  eoiniminication  miu- 
isttr  ■  in  eouimendatiou  ofm.v  ^orii  Crmmer.  Archbisiiop  oi  Canti  rbiiry. 
This  sjiid  parsou  envying  his  name  only  lor  rtlig'Ou'ss.ivc ,  ^aui  t  >  his  neigh- 
bours, '*  what  make  you  of  him,  be  was  but  a  hostler,  and  hath  no  more. 


APPENDIX.  39 

learning  than  the  goslings  that  go  yonder  on  the  green,"  with  snch  like 
slanderous  and  unsrciii!)  words.  Theso  neighbours  of  his,  not  well  bearing 
those  unseemly  words,  articled  against  him,  and  sent  their  complaint  to 
Ijord  Croraueli,  then  vice-gerent  in  causes  ecclesiastical,  vvho  sent  Cor  the 
priest,  and  committed  him  to  the  Fleet  Prison,  niindina;  to  have  had  him  re- 
cant those  his  slanderous  words  in  pu!)Iic  at  Ptnl's  cross.  Howbeit  the 
Lord  Croinvvell  having  great  affairs  in  hand.  Ihrgot  his  prisoner  in  the  Fl'^et: 
so  ihat  tiiis  Chersy,  nndeistandihg  that  his  kinsman  was  in  durance,  only 
lor  speaking  words  against  my  Lord  o I"  Canterbury,  consulted  with  the 
priesi,  and  ijetwe-. n  them  devised  to  make  suit  ratht-r  unto  the  Archbishop 
tor  his  deliverance,  than  to  ti<e  Lord  Cromwell,  before  whom  he  was  accu- 
sed, understanding  right  well  that  there  was  great  diversiiy  otnature  be- 
tween these  two,  the  one  gentle  and  lull  of  clemency,  the  other  severe,  and 
souiewliat  intractable  against  a  Papist  ;  so  that  Chersy  took  upon  him,  first 
to  Iry  my  Lord  ot  Canterbury's  benignity,  lor  that  his  cousin's  accusation 
to.'uheil  only  the  olteuce  against  him,  and  none  other.  Whereupon  the 
u)alier  was  move«i.  The  Vrchbishop  incontinently  sent  for  Chersy  ;  and 
»vhe;;  he  came  belbre  him,  Chersy  declared,  that  there  was  a  kinsman  of 
his  m  t!ie  !•  leet,  a  priest  of  the  North  country,  "and  as  I  may  tel'  your 
grace  111  truth,'"  quoth  Chersy,  "  a  man  of  small  civility  and  less  learning  ; 
and  yet  he  h.itli  a  parsonage  there,  which  now  that  Lord  Cromwell  hath 
laiil  him  in  prison  is  unserved,  and  he  bath  continued  in  durance  two  months, 
and  IS  called  to  no  answer,  so  that  this  imprisonment  wil!  utterly  undo  him, 
unless  y"ur  grace  will  be  his  good  lord."  "  I  know  not  the  mun,  said  the 
ArchDisiiop,  iior  what  he  hatti  done,  why  he  should  thus  be  in  trouble." 
Said  Chersy  again,  he  only  hath  offended  against  ynur grace,  as  may  well  be 
perceivt.i  b)  the  articles  objected  agiMist  him,  the  copy  whereof  the  said 
Chersy  hen  exhibited  inUo  tl^e  said  Archbishep  ot  Canterbury.  Who  well 
perusnig  the  said  articles  said,  "this  is  the  common  talk  of  all  the  ignor- 
ant papi^til•ai  priests  in  Kngland  against  me  ;  surely,  1  was  never  made 
priv^  lo  this  accusation,  nor  of  his  indurance  I  never  ^leard  before  this  time. 
iNotwillistanuing  il  there  be  nolLinsr  eUe  to  chaige  him  withal,  I  will  at  your 
request  take  oriler  with  him,  au.i  send  him  home  to  his  cure  to  do  his  duty  ; 
and  so  thereupon  sent  to  the  Warden  of  the  Fleet,  willing  him  to  send  the 
prisoner  at  atrernoon. 

Wiien  the  keepei  had  brought  the  prisoner  at  the  hour  appointed,  and 
Chersy  had  well  instructed  his  cousin  in  any  wise  to  subnnt  himself  to  the 
Archbishop,  confessing  his  fault,  whereby  that  way  he  should  most  easily 
have  an  end  and  win  his  lavoiu  ;  thus  the  parson  being  brought  into  the 
garden  ,>t  Lambeth,  the  Archbishop  demanded  of  the  parson  what  was  the 
cause  of  his  indurance  in  the  Fleet  ?  The  parson  answered  and  said,  that 
the  Lord  CromvTell  sent  him  thither,  for  that  certain  milicions  parishioners 
oi"  Iiis  parish,  had  wrongfully  accused  him  of  words  he  never  spoke  nor 
meant.  Chersy  hearing  his  ibohsb  ceusin  so  much  out  of  the  way  said  ; 
"  Thou  (lastcuv.ly  itolt  and  varif  t,  is  this  tiiy  promise  that  thou  madestto 
rae  ? — Is  there  not  a  2.reat  number  of  thy  neighbor's  hands  against  thee,  lo 
prove  thee  u  !i.u  ?  8iuely  my  Lord,  quoth  Ciier^y,  it  is  pity  to  do  him 
good,  I  am  sorry  that  I  have  troubled  your  grace  thus  far  with  him.  Well, 
saiiUhr  Archbishop  to  the  pardon,  if  you  iiave  not  oSended  me,  I  can  do 
yo;;  no  iood,  '.or  i  aui  intr'eated  to  help  one  out  of  trouble  that  huth  offended 
ag.Mis-  me  If  my  Lord  Cromwell  hath  committed  you  to  prison  wrong- 
fidiy,  that  lietii  in  himself  to  amend.  If  your  offence  only  toucheth  me,  I 
will  dosometlnng  for  you  for  your  friend's  sake  here  ;  if  you  have  not  offend- 
ed against  me,  you  nvygo  and  remain  whence  you  came.  O  !  what  ado 
Chersy  made  with  hiui,  calling  him  all  kinds  of  opprobious  names.  In  the 
end,  my  Lordof  Canterbury  seeming  toriseandgn  his  way,  the  silly  priest 


40  APPENDIX. 

f»',Ioii  Iii<;  knees,  aiul  said  ;  "I  beseech  your  grace  to  Ibroive  mo  (liis 
nljeiice  ;  a^siirinii;  yom' giace  tliat  I  spoke  those  words  not  well  advisird. 
Oh  !  said  my  lord,  tliis  iiSome»vh<it.  and  yet  it  is  no  good  ext!ii>e,  lor  diiink- 
enness  evermore  ntteretli  that  which  licth  hid  iu  the  heart  of  man  wlioi  he  is 
sober,  alie«jing  a  text  or  twain  out  of  the  Seriptiiies  concerning  lliat  vice. 
Now  therelbrs  said  the  Arclibisliop,  that  yon  acknowledge  sotnewhat  \oiii 
t'^dl,  I  am  content  to  commune  with  you,  hoping  that  yon  are  atliiis  pre- 
sent ol  an  indifferent  sobriety.  'Vii\  me  then,  qnoth  he.  did  yin  ever  see 
me,  or  were  yon  ever  acquainted  with  me  before  this  day  ?  The  priest  an- 
swered t!iat  never  in  his  lile  he  >;aw  his  grace.  \Vhy  then  ?  said  the  Arch- 
bishop, what  occasion  had  you  to  call  me  a  hostler,  and  that  I  had  not  so 
much  learning  as  the  goslings  whicii  then  went  on  the  green  belon  your 
face?  I!'  I  have  no  learning;  you  maj  no»v  try  it.  and  be  mt  of  do(d)t 
thereof;  tiicrelore  I  pray  you  appose  me,  either  in  grammar  or  otlnr  libi  ral 
sciences,  tor  I  have  at  one  time  or  other  tasted  partly  of  them  ,  or  else  if 
you  are  a  divine  say  somewhat  that  way.  The  priest  being  am  ized  at  my 
lord's  familiar  talk,  niade  answer  and  said  ;  I  beseech  your  grace  lo  paidou 
me  ;  I  am  altogether  unlearned,  and  understand  not  the  Latin  toiviue  hut 
very  simply  :  my  only  study  halli  been  to  say  my  service  and  mass,  l.iir  and 
deliberate,  which  I  can  do  as  vveil  as  any  priest  in  the  country  ivheie  I 
dwell,  I  thank  God.  Well,  said  the  other,  if  you  will  not  appo>e  me,  I 
will  be  so  bold  as  to  appose  you,  and  yet  as  easily  as  I  can  devise,  and  tiiat 
only  in  the  story  of  the  Bible  now  in  English,  iu  which  I  suppose  that  you 
are  daily  ex<'rci>ed.  Tell  me  therefore  who  was  king  David's  lather  ?  said 
my  lord.  The  priest  stood  still  pausing  awhile  and  siid  ;  in  good  faitii,  my 
lord,  I  have  forgotten  his  name.  Then  said  the  other  again  to  him,  it  yon 
cannot  tell  that.  I  pray  yon  tell  me  who  was  Solomon's  father  ?  The  fool 
ish  priest  without  consideration  of  what  was  demanded  of  him  before,  made 
answer,  *'  IVly  good  lord  bear  with  me,  I  am  no  further  seen  iis  the  Bible, 
than  is  daily  read  in  our  service  in  the  church." 

The  Aichbishop  answering.  Said  ;  this  my  question  may  ^)e  found  well 
answered  in  yonrservice  ;  but  I  now  well  perceive,  however  ye  have  judg- 
ed heret(»forc  of  my  learning,  sure  I  am  that  you  have  none  at  all.  But 
this  is  the  common  practice  of  all  you  who  are  ignorant  and  superstitions 
priests,  to  slander,  backbite,  and  hate  all  siichas  are  learned  and  well  affect- 
ed towards  God's  word  and  sincere  religion.  Common  reason  might  have 
taught  you  what  an  unlikely  thing  it  was,  and  contrary  to  all  manner  of  rea- 
son that  a  prince  having  two  nniversilies  within  his  realm  of  well  learned 
men,  and  desirous  of  being  resolved  of  as  doubtiul  a  question  as  in  these 
many  years  was  not  moved  the  like  within  Christendom,  should  be  driven 
to  that  necessity  for  the  defence  of  his  cause  to  send  out  ol"  this  realm  a 
hostler,  being  a  man  of  no  better  knowledge  than  a  gosling  in  an  antbassade 
to  answer  alllearned  men  both  in  the  court  of  Rome  and  of  the  Emperor. 
But  look,  when  malice  leigneth  in  the  heart  of  man,  there  reason  can 
take  no  place  ;  and  therefore  I  see,  you  are  all  at  a  point  with  me,  that  no 
reason  or  authority  can  persuade  yon  to  favour  my  name,  who  never  meant 
evil  to  yon,  but  your  commodity  and  profit.  Ilowbeit,  God  amend  you  all, 
forgive  you,  and  send  yon  better  minds.  With  these  words  the  priest  seem- 
ed to  weep,  and  desiied  his  grace  lo  pardon  his  fault  au'l  frailty,  so  that  by 
his  means  he  might  return  to  his  cure  again,  and  he  would  sure  recant  these 
his  foolish  words  before  his  j)arishioners  so  soon  as  he  came  home,  and 
would  become  a  new  man.  Well,  said  the  Archbishop,  and  so  had  you 
need  :  and  giving  him  a  godly  admonition  to  refuse  the  haunting  of  the 
alehouse,  audio  bestow  his  time  better  in  the  continual  reading  of  the 
Scriptures,  dismissed  Um  from  the  Fleet. 


APPENDIX.  41 

Lorl  Ccoiinyell  perceiving  n-ithiu  a  fortnight  after,  that  his  prisoner  was 
8pnt  home  without  any  open  pmii^ilimpnt,  came  to  Liiiibeth  unto  the  arch- 
bishop, and  ill  a  great  heat  said  t.)  !(im  :  •'  my  Lord,  1  understand  that  you 
have  despatched  th«  Northern  priest  that  t  late  sent  to  the  Fleet,  home 
again,  *vho  uiiiioneslly  railed  at  yon,  and  calk-d  you  an  hostler.  Indeed, 
1  have  so  dono,  replied  he,  tor  that  lu  his  absence,  the  people  of  his  cure 
wanted  their  divine  service.  It  is  very  devout  divine  service  that  he  saith, 
quoth  Lord  Cromyvell,  it  were  more  irieet  lor  (sim  to  be  a  hostler  than  a 
cuiate.  wiio  sticiceth  not  to  call  yon  a  hostler.  But  I  thouaht  so  much 
what  yon  would  do,  and  theiet'ore  i  would  not  tell  you  othis  knavery  when 
I  sent  him  to  prison.  Howbeit,  hencelbrlh,  they  shall  cut  your  throat 
betbre  that  I  say  any  thing  more  to  thoni  on  your  behalf.  VVhy  ?  what 
would  you  have  done  with  him,  quoth  tue  archbishop  ;  there  was  nothing 
1  did  to  his  charge,  other  Ihan  words  spokei  against  me,  and  now  tbe  man 
is  repentant  and  well  reconciled,  and  hath  been  at  great  charges  in  prison; 
it  is  time  Iherelore  he  were  lid  of  his  trouble.  Yh'W,  said  my  Lord  Crom- 
well, I  meant  that  he  should  have  preached  at  Paul's  cross  a  recantation 
beibre  ho  had  gone  hocnc.  TUit  had  been  well  done,  quoth  the  other, 
tor  then  you  would  have  had  all  the  world  as  well  to  have  wondered  at  me 
as  at  him.  Well,  well,  said  Lord  Cromwell,  we  shall  so  long  bear  with 
these  popish  knaves,  that  at  length  they  will  bring  us  indeed  to  be  won- 
dered at  of  the  whole  world."  Cromwell's  anticipation  was  realized  ; 
these  stars  of  the  first  magnitude  ainong  the  English  reformed,  were  both 
humolated  upon  the  altar  of  martyrdom  to  appease  the  wrath  of  Romish 
furies,  and  to  astonish  and  agonize  all  the  Protestant   regions. 

The  freedom  and  ability  with  which  he  canvassed  the  king's  marriage 
with  his  brother's  widow,  recomjueudcd  him  to  the  notice  of  the  court, 
and  Henry  soon  employed  his  abilities  in  defence  o(  his  views.  Upon  the 
death  of  Warham  he  was  raised  to  the  see  of  Canterbury  without  acknow- 
leging  the  pope's  supremacy.  Thus  at  war  with  the  authority  of  the  pope, 
he  began  earnestly  to  labour  lor  the  advancenient  of  the  reformation,  by 
the  translation  of  the  bible  into  Englisli,  and  by  inveighing  against  the  vices 
and  usurpation  of  the  court  of  Rome.  After  the  death  of  Cromwell,  he 
retired  from  public  affairs  ;  but  his  influence  was  such,  that  he  procured 
the  passing  of  laws  for  the  promotion  of  true  religion,  and  the  modification 
oilhe  six  articles  whicli  proved  so  obnoxious  to  the  clergy.  His  enemies, 
however,  were  not  silent  in  those  times  of  intrigue  and  corruption,  and 
the  commons,  as  well  as  the  privy  council,  sevei  ally  reprobated  his  conduct, 
till  Henry  interposed,  and  saved  him  from  further  prosecution.  At  that 
kings's  death,  be  became  one  of  the  legents  of  the  kingdom,  and  while 
Edward  nominally  reigned,  all  his  knowledge,  influence  and  energies, 
were  ever  in  operation  by  his  own  writings,  and  patronizing  learned  men 
to  establish  and  extend  the  Piotestant  cause.  The  liomilies  were  compo- 
sed, and  some  by  Cranmer  himself;  the  six  ofiensive  articles  were  repealed, 
the  communion  was  given  in  botii  kinds,  the  offices  of  the  church  were 
revised,  and  the  visitation  of  the  clergy  regidarly  enforced. 

After  Mary's  accession  to  the  throne,  notwithstanding  all  her  obligations 
to  Cranmtr  ;  she,  in  whom  gratitude,  sensibility,  and  justice  were  all  ex- 
tinguished by  the  predominance  of  the  most  odious  qualities  of  Romish 
bigotry  and  cruelty,  irritated  at  his  conduct  and  consequence  among  the 
Protestants,  summoned  him  betbre  the  council,  and  speedily  immured  him 
in  confinement.  He  was  attainted  for  high  treason  and  found  gnilty,  but 
he  was  pardoned  for  the  treason,  and  arraigned  by  his  persecutors  for  heresy. 
He  was  removed  in  April,  15.54.  wilti  iJidley  and  Latimer,  to  Oxford, 
to  dispute  and  make  his  defence  before  popish  commissioners  ;  but  on 
the  refusal  of  himself  and  his  venerable  frien(]s  to  subscribe  to  popery,  they 
0 


42 


APPENDIX. 


wereron.lemucilas  hcrelics.  In  Septombrr.  LViS,  he  wa5  again  arraiin- 
cd  in  Oxfoni,  for  l)la^pl)^mv,  jK-ijiiry.  incoiitinency  and  heresy  ;  und  while 
Ihey  ptetcuiled  to  siinimo))  Uiin  to  lloms,  to  nuke  his  delence.  nithin  oi^tity 
tl.iys,  they  secretly  dftrnnincd  his  exeenlion.  Cranmer,  tlioiiijh  firm  to 
his  laith.  yet  yielded  hrfn,?  tlie  terrors  of  death,  and  in  a  moment  of 
vreakiicss  and  despair,  he  w-is  prerailpd  on  to  sij^n  his  own  recantation, 
and  t(i  re  iiri!)race  popery,  from  the  promises  of  pardon  and  restoration  to 
Mary's  favour  ;  who  instantaneously,  with  fiend-like  treachery,  having  as 
she  faiicie-.l.  displaced  him  beyond  redemption,  doomed  him  to  follow  his 
brethren  to  eternity.  If  is  enemies  having  resolved  to  commit  him  to  the 
flames,  ho  was  l)ron;rlit  to  St.  Mary's  chinch  in  order  to  make  a  profession 
of  his  faith  ;  he  snrprised  his  persecutors  by  an  awlhl  appeal  to  heavi;n  and 
their  consciences  and  by  a  solemn  rennnciation  of  the  tenets  he  had  lately, 
in  a  moment  of  error,  embraced,  empliaticallj  exclaiming,  "  that,  tliat  one 
thins;  aiono  wnmj  his  he;>rt.  and  that  the  hand  which  had  falsely  signed 
the  dis!ioiioiMa!)Ie  d^ei',  s!)onld  fiist  perish  in  the  flames."  This  manly 
(ondu'-L  snrprized  and  enraged  his  enemies,  he  was  i.nmediately  dragged 
over  against  Balioi  colh  ge.  where,  standing  in  his  shirt  and  without  shoes, 
lie  was  fa>;tfned  to  the  slake.  The  fire,  was  kindled,  and  tlie  venerable 
inaityr  sti.  tehing  his  riaht  hand  into  the  flames,  exelaimed.  "this  hanci 
liath  (ifi'.'iided,  this  unworthy  hand."  His  miseries  were  soon  over,  and 
liis  la^t  words  were,  "Lord  Jesus  receive  my  spirit." 

Ill  tiiis  his  final  eai  tidy  scene,  Cranmer  evinced,  the  truth  of  our  liOrd's  de- 
clariti-n,  "  Wisdom  is  justified  of  her  children" — for  the  force  of  his 
arguments  against  the  papists  the  sincerity  ofhis  repentance,  the  manliness 
v.itii  which  he  expressed  his  insuperable  abhorrence  of  his  prior  reniui- 
eiation  of  the  truth,  the  fortitude  with  which  he  condemned  his  right 
hand  which  bad  witnessed  his  retraction  to  the  first  sensations  of  torture, 
the  christiii)  placability  of  his  temper  towards  his  traitorous  enemies,  the 
fervour  of  his  siipplieatious,  and  his  inimoveable  confidence  in  Jesus  the 
fViepi  (if  sinners,  dirt'iised  a  splemlonr  so  lirilliant  around  the  Martyr's  tri- 
nmp'iKiiil  <xit.  thai  its  irri  liations  after  the  lapse  of  nearly  270  years,  have 
lost  none  ol"  tiieir  soul-qMickcning  cfScacy.  lie  slept  in  Jfsus,  in  the 
midst  ol  the  flames,  at  Oxfoid,  March  21,   15.06. 

KXOX. 

Tiiis  Scotch  Boanerges,  eqn.tlly  with  the  other  primitive  digni!;',ries  of 
file  P/oiestaiit  cause,  lia*  been  the  snbi'^ct  of  coPtinual  obloquy  ;  until  very 
lalely,  his  motives,  charactLr  and  actions  were  represented  wiili  incessant 
and  t!)c  most  flagrant  injustice.  ]\ow  the  current  of  opinion  flows  towards 
llie  point  oi'equily.  Tne  following  brief  iiol ice  fills  all  the  space  which 
could  i)e  allotle.l  to  this  department  ;  those  who  desire  a  more  perlect 
acqu  iint.in?e  with  these  and  the  other  champions  of  the  reformation,  must 
refer  to  tiie  authors  cited  in  the  preface. 

Knox  was  born  in  the  year  1505,  at  GifTord  or  Haddington,  in  east  Lo- 
thian. At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  was  sent  to  St.  Andrews,  in  which 
university,  the  fimous  John  Mair,  or  Major,  was  at  that  lime  the  pro- 
fessoi-  of  philosopl  y  and  theology.  Of  the  academical  life  and  habits  of 
Knox,  very  few  records  have  been  preserved.  During  a  period  of  near 
twenty  years,  beseems  to  have  lived  at  the  university  in  scholastic  seclu- 
sion from  the  world.  That  during  the  greater  part  of  that  time,  he  was  a 
sincere  Papist  is  not  to  be  questioned;  and  indeed  there  is  no  reason  to 
doubt,  bul  that  at  an  eaily  age  he  was  ordained  a  priest  in  the  communion 
of  the  Romish  church.  In  the  year  1542,  however,  or  in  the  following 
rear,  he  q  lifted  the  university  from  a   well    grounded  apprehension, Jhat 


APPENDIX.  43 

(lie  opinions  wliicli  lie  appears  at  this  time  to  have  publicly  avowfd,  in 
tkvoiir  of  tlie  reformation,  would  expose  him  to  the  enmity  of  Cardinal 
Beatonn,  whose  authority  atlSt.  Andrews  was  then  little  less  tiiau  absohilc. 
Under  the  protection  of  the  laird  of  Laniiuiddrie,  Knox  was  engaged 
dining  tiie  lliree  succeeding  years,  in  the  prosecution  oi'  his  own 
studies,  and  in  superintending  the  education  of  the  sons  of  Ids  patron  : 
but.  harrassed  with  the  effoits  continually  made  foi  his  destru*  tion,  he  was 
compelled  incompliance  with  the  stdicita'ions  of  tiie  father  ot  his  pupils, 
to  retire  with  them  for  protection  to  the  castle  of  St.  Andrews.  In  this 
place,  Knox  received  from  someof  the  reformed  ministers,  who  like  him- 
self, had  taken  refuge  there,  a  solemn  call  to  the  exerrise  of  the  ministe- 
rial office.     The  acconnt  of  his  vocation  at  St  A:idrews  is  aiiecting. 

"They  of  that  place,  but  especially  Mr.  Oemy  Balnaves,  and  John 
Rough,  preacher,  perceiving  the  manner  o!  his  dot  Iriue,  begiiii  earnestly  to 
travail  with  him,  that  he  would  take  the  function  of  preacher  upon  him, 
but  he  refused,  alleging  that  he  wouhl  not  run  where  God  had  not  called  him, 
meaning  that  he  would  do  nothing  without  a  lawful  vocation;  wh*  rcupon 
they  privily  among  themselves  advising,  ha\iiig  with  them  in  council  Sir 
D.  Lindsay  of  the  Mount,  they  concluded  that  liiey  would  give  a  charge 
to  the  said  John,  and  that  publicly,  by  the  mouth  of  the  preacher.  And 
so  upon  a  certain  day,  a  sermon  of  the  ckahin  of  ministers,  what  power 
the  congregation  how  small  soever,  that  it  vv;;s  passing  the  mimber  of  two 
or  three,  had  above  any  man,  namely,  in  iiinc  if  need,  as  that  was,  in 
whom  they  supposed,  and  espied  the  gift  of  (Jod  to  be  ;  and  how  danger-  . 
ouK  it  was  to  refuse  and  not  hear  the  voice  of  sntli  as  desire  to  be  instruct- 
ed. Thi  se  and  other  heads  declared,  the  said  John  Rough  preacher,  directed 
by  his  words  to  the  said  John  Knox,  saying,  *  brother,  ye  shall  not  be  oflisn- 
d^id  albeit  that  I  speak  unto  you,  tliat  which  1  have  in  charge,  even  from 
all  these  which  are  here  present,  which  is  this.  In  the  name  of  God  and 
of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  name  of  these  that  presently  call  jou  by 
my  mouth,  I  charge  you  that  ye  refuse  not  this  holy  vocation,  but  as  ye 
tender  the  glory  of  God,  the  increase  of  Christ's  kiogdoui,  the  cditication 
of  your  brethren,  the  comfort  of  me,  whom  ye  nu'lersland  well  enough  to 
be  oppressed  by  the  multitude  of  labours,  that  ye  take  upon  you  the  public 
charge  and  office  of  preaching,  even  as  ye  look  to  avoid  God's  heavy  dis- 
pleasure, and  to  multiply  his  graces  upon  you  '  And  in  tlfe  end  he  said 
to  those  that  were  present,  '  Was  not  this  your  charge  to  me,  and  do  }e  not 
approve  this  vocation?'  They  answered,  *lt  Is,  and  we  approve  it.' — 
Whereat  the  said  master  John,  ahaslied,  broke  forth  into  the  most  abun- 
dant tears,  and  withdrew  himself  to  his  ciiamber.  His  countenance  and 
behaviour  from  that  day  till  the  ilay  when  he  was  compelled  to  present 
himself  at  the  public  place  of  pseachiog,  did  sufiicieutly  declare  the  grief 
and  trouble  of  his  heart  ;  for  no  njan  saw  any  sign  of  mirth  in  him  neither 
yet  had  he  pleasure  to  accompany  any  man  ibr  several  days  together." 

In  consequence  of  this  vocation,  Knox,  then  in  the  45Ui  year  of  his  age, 
immediately  commenced  at  St.  Andrews  those  labours,  for  the  relorrcatioa 
of  religion,  to  the  prosecnlioii  of  which  tiie  whole  of  his  siucecdiiig  life  was 
devoted.  An  unexpected  event,  howevt  r.  very  abrnpily  susptnde<l  these 
exertions.  ,4  French  fieet  sent  at  liie  i{qiie>t  of  Hamilton,  ihe  governor, 
appeared  before  the  caslle  of  St.  Andrews.  After  a  sliiut  seige,  the  gar- 
rison was  reduced  to  recapitulation,  ai:d  Knox,  with  mar.y  otiieis,  was 
carried  in  the  galleys  to  the  riitr  f.oir^.  aiuJ  was  there  cojDpelltd  during 
many  months  to  labour  at  the  onr. 

In  no  part  of  his  life  docs  liie  tnersy  of  character  of  the  Rfforracr,  and 
his  terver.l  desire  to  piomote  the  glory  ol  Cod,  appear  u»ore  conspicuonsly 
than  during  this  period.     While  he  ics<.!iiic!y  reiuid  to  avteoii  t  Lis  escape 


44  appi:ndix. 

by  the  adoption  of  :\uy  inriisiiip  jxliicli  tosilil  omlnngcr  the  lives  of  lii< 
oppressors  !ie  inaintHineri  an  nnshakeu  confidence  llialiJod  would  drliver 
him,  and  tliat  lie  sliould  be  pre^frv-fd  ibr  greater  services  than  any  uliic'i  lie 
had  already  been  permitted  to  r«'ndi  I  to  the  canse  of  truth-  After  a  cr<n- 
finemeut  ol  nineteen  months,  our  Reformer  ivas  released  from  the jjaileys. 
and  immediately  repaired  to  E'liLiud,  nhere,  under  the  patronage  (»f 
Ciaumer  and  the  J'rivy  eonmiil.  lie  preached  during  t*vo  years  at  Berwick, 
aud  was  probably  appointed  one  o!  King  Kdward's  chaplain^.  His  diligence 
iu  discharge  of  his  ministeiial  duties  was  almost  unexampled. 

Besidi >  assistins  in  the  eomposilion  of  the  Book  of  Common-Prayer, 
and  the  Articles  of  the  church,  he  preached  not  only  on  Sundays,  !)nt 
Irequently  on  evf  ry  d  ly  oftiie  week;  he  ar2:ued  in  f>ublic  iu  defence  of 
the  (ioi-lrines  of  tlie  Refdrniation.  and  travel'ed  as  an  itinerant  minister, 
preaching,  ince.-santly,  and  wiih  gieat  efl- et.  in  the  towns  and  villages;  and 
at  a  lime  when  lie  v.as  afflicted  with  one  of  the  u'ost  acute  disorders  to  which 
the  huin  u  fume  is  subject.  Edward  «  steemed  hi^  character,  and  w  as  anx- 
ious to  retain  pf  i  ni  uiently  in  the  Church  of  England  a  man  so  eminently 
qualitic'd  to  piomute  ilie  d  ffusiou  of  the  Gospel.  He  offeied  him  the  living 
of  Allbalovvs  in  Loudon,  and  subs  qiiei:tly  a  bishop's  see,  which  it  was 
then  iucuiitentpiaUon  to  evLildih  at  Newcastle.  These  proposals,  howev- 
er, were  rejected  ;  fioin  a  dissa'i  (action  with  the  ritual  and  «iiscipltue  of 
the  English  church,  and  from  a  well  grounded  a[)piehcusion  of  the  insecu- 
rity ot  ibe  Trotestant  establishment  in  England.  The  accession  of  iVJary  to 
the  throne  of  her  brother  revivcfl  the  jiower  and  activity  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  party,  and  not  only  deprived  the  Ueformer  of  his  means  of  sub- 
sistence, but  rendered  it  impossible  for  him  longer  to  continue  the  exer- 
tions wliicli  he  had  made<luring  the  five  pieceding  years,  for  promoting  the 
kno»^  ledge  oi  the  truih  iu  tliat  kingdom.  Dt  epiy  as  he  was  him^eli  afflicte<} 
%vilh  the  loss  vvhi(  i:  the  church  had  sustained  by  the  jiremature  death  of 
Edward,  he  could  not,  without  the  utmost  indiguation,  behold  the  thought- 
less joy  with  fthich  the  common  people  hailed  the  commencement  ol  tbe 
reign  of  his  succcsNor.  He  ex presse«i  these  feelings  with  warmth,  and  was 
soon  marked  out  by  Queen  Mary's  government  as  a  fit  object  for  pnnish- 
jiient.  Finding  that  it  was  vain  to  resist  the  power  of  his  enemies,  he 
yielded  to  the  entreaties  of  his  brethren,  who,  he  says,  "partly  by  tears, 
partly  by  admonition,  compelled  him  to  obey,  aud  to  give  pliice  to  the  rage 
of  Satan  for  a  time."  In  the  beginning  of  the  yea*'  ISM,  he  quitted  Eng- 
land, and  landed  saftsly  at  Dieppe  in  Normandy. 

Duiing  the  reign  of  Mury,  Switzerland  was  tlie  general  place  of  refuse 
for  the  English  Frotestauls  who  fled  from  j)ersecution  in  their  native  coun- 
try. Knox  was  received  with  christian  hospitality  and  kindness  at  Geneva. 
His  spirits  whic-li  were  much  depre'<sed  at  the  commenceiiu'iit  of  his  exile, 
seem  to  have  recovered  their  iwtnral  tone,  from  the  cordiality  of  his  recep- 
tion among  the  teachers  of  the  dilferent  Protestant  congregations  in  the 
llelve'ic  church.  Few  men  have  possessed,  in  so  eminent  a  degree  as 
Knox,  the  power  of  subduing  present  evils  by  the  anticipation  of  iiiture  pros- 
perity. 

A  ciin5regation  of  English  Protestants  had,  in  conseqiipuce  of  the  perse- 
cutions of  iVIary,  been  established  at  Fianklbi t-on-^the-IMaiue.  then  one  of 
the  opulent  imperial  cities  oi  tiie  (iermau  empire.  By  the  persuasion  of 
Calvin,  Knox  was  induced,  in  compliance  with  the  urgent  request  of  this 
body  of  christians,  to  reside  amoiig  them  as  one  of  their  regular  preachers. 
At  Frankl'ort,  however,  the  most  perplexing  troubles  and  disquiet  awaited 
liim.  Incessant  disputes  arose  among  the  people,  as  to  the  dirtirent  parts 
of  the  English  Liturgy,  the  administration  of  tin-  Sacraments,  and  the  use  of 
audible  responses  iu  public  woisiiip.    Dr.  C.Ji,  a  m.ui  of  considerable  learn- 


APPENDIX.  45 

iiig,  who  had  been  preceptor  to  Edward  the  Sixth,  seems  to  have  erga^ed 
deeply  in  Uiese  uuliappj  and  ill-timed  coutroversies,  and  received  a  public 
censure  from  Knox,  lor  having  persisted,  in  opposition  to  the  wi<;hps  o(  many 
oflhe  cojigrfgalon,  in  answering  aloud  alter  the  minister  in  the  timeof'tii* 
vine  service,  in  the  conclusion  of  the  contest,  the  opponents t)!" Knox  act- 
ed wit!i  the  n)OSt  shameless  perfidy.  They  accused  him  secretly  to  the 
luagisUdtes  of  Kranklbrt.  of  high  treason  against  the  Emperor  oi  Germany, 
pulling  into  their  hands  a  copy  of  the  "  Admonition  to  the  Professors  of 
Tiiilti  ui  England,"  in  which  some  expressions  not  very  respect  in  I  to  that 
monarch  were  contained.  The  magistrates,  though  they  thought  the  accu- 
sation no  less  absurd  than  malignant,  could  not  entirely  disregard  it,  and 
Knox,  by  theic  advice,  retired  from  ihe  charge  of  the  congtegalion,  and  re- 
lumed to  Geneva, 

In  this  place  he  studied  with  great  ardour  and  perseverance,  and,  except 
a  short  visit  to  his  n  itive  couotry,  continued  to  reside  there,  uninterrupt- 
edly, tii!  the  year  1559.  From  the  return  of  Knox  to  Scotland,  till  his 
death,  ibrms  a  most  important  part  of  the  general  history  of  his  native  coun- 
try. He  had  the  happiness  of  seeing,  before  his  death,  the  full  estabiish- 
meut  ol  Uie  lieformation.  and  of  having  contributed  with  more  zeal  and  ef- 
ficacy to  its  success,  than  any  other  individual  within  that  kingdom.  His 
labours  ol  every  kind,  were  in  fact,  stupendous.  No  man  should  ever  pro- 
nounce the  name  of  Knox,  without  veneration  and  gratitude.  Brvend  all 
question  or  controversy,  he  was  the  greatest  benefactor  to  his  native  coun- 
ti  y  n  horn  tier  history  records. 

From  the  time  of  his  renunciation  of  the  errors  of  Popery,  to  the  last 
naoraent  of  his  liie,  Koox  appeals  to  have  been  involved  in  an  almost  un- 
broken succession  of  disputes  and  co.-.tests.  In  defence  oflhemaityr  Wis- 
hart  he  braved  the  unbounded  authority  of  the  cardinal  ;  he  opcidy  joinid 
at  St.  Andrews  the  Protestants  wiio  maintained  that  place  against  Chatel- 
raull  ihe  govcntor  ;  his  whole  life  was  a  scene  of  contest  against  the  leaders 
ol  tiie  lloman  Catholic  cause  in  his  native  country  ;  nor  did  he  seldom  op- 
pose the  raeasuies,  and  severely  censure  the  faults  even  of  his  own  party. 
In  public  and  in  private,  in  his  negocialions  with  England  and  in  the  parlta- 
luent,  in  the  pulpit  and  with  his  pen,  he  participated  in  the  civil  war  against 
the  queen  regent,  and  in  no  slight  degree  coutributed  to  the  success  of  that 
contest.  He  was  long  the  austere  monitoi'  of  Afary,  and  immediately  after 
Boihwell's  marriage,  engaged  with  his  habitual  zeal  in  snppoit  of  Murray 
and  his  adherents.  Even  in  more  private  life  he  seems  to  have  been  little 
conversant  with  repose  or  quiet.  Among  the  Protestant  exiles  at  Frank- 
tort,  he  was  incessantly  harrassed  with  angry  contentions  ;  in  his  own  fami- 
ly he  appears  to  have  suft'ered  much  from  the  domestic  dissensions  which 
his  marriage  had  occasioned  among  his  wife's  relations  ;  and,  as  though  he 
had  not  .heady  a  sutiicieat  variety  of  enemies,  he  thought  fit  to  publish  his 
treatise  against  female  government,  at  a  time  when  England  and  Scotland 
were  governed  by  women,  and  when  Elizabeth  was  presumptive  heir  to  the 
English  crown. 

With  a  single  object  in  view,  he  seems  to  have  abandoned  every  otuer 
pursuit.  His  writings,  his  sermons,  his  public  and  private  correspondence, 
all  exhibit  the  same  insatiable  anxiety  for  the  welfare  of  the  church  of 
which  God  had  appointed  him  minister.  He  scarcely  lived  for  any  other 
purpose,  and  appears  to  the  hoiuof  his  death  to  have  thought  and  written 
and  acted  for  the  promotion  of  tht  Reformation,  rathei  with  the  energy  of 
passion  than  with  the  deliberate  resolution  of  the  man  who  steadily  dischar- 
ges a  solemn  duty. 

His  penetration  into  the  designs  of  men,  his  sagacity  as  to  the  results 
of  any  measures,  and  his  courage    were  almost   nurivaJled.     His  snpersti- 


46  APPENDIX. 

tioiis  teiuloiicy,  augmented  liis  c;liaractpri«tic  vigour,  ami  gave  tlie  utmost 
energy  to  his  hope,  and  the  ^reatfst  confideiuc  in  triumph.  Oppo'.itio;!.  he 
ridiculed  ;  and  his  ardent  leu)p<  r  inconceivably  strengthened  I)y  his  highly 
wrought  sensibilities  enabled  him  to  defeat  all  dangers  in  ^>hatever  kmiii 
they  assailed  him.  His  appearances  before  Mary  the  Queen,  and  his  inter- 
views with  the  Protestant  leaders  when  in  their  (lecpext  distresses  developc 
a  fortitude  almost  incredible  ;  but  the  detail  must  be  omitted  :  the  last 
scene  alone  of  his  life  can  be  introduced. 

"  He  was  very  anxious  to  meet  once  more  with  the  Session  of  bis  Church, 
and   to  give  them  his  dying  charge  and  bid   them  his    last  farewell.     In 
compliance  with  his  wish,  his  colleague,  the  elders  and  deacons,  with  Da. 
vid  Lindsay,  one  of  the  ministers  of  Leith,  assembled  in  his  room  on  .Mon- 
day Nov.  17,  when  he  addressed  them  in  the  following  words  :  •  riu:  day 
now  approaches,   and  is  belore   the  door,  tor  which  I  have  frequt  ntiy  and 
vehem  ;!itly  thirsted,  when  I  shall  be   released  from  ray  great  1 1 hours  and 
immeasurable  sorrows,  and  shall  be  with  Clirist.     And    now  God   is  my 
witness,  whom  I  have  served  in  spirit  in  the  Gospel  of  his  Son,  that   I  have 
taught  nothing  but  the  true  and  solid  doctrine  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Son    of 
God,  and  have  had  i*.  for  my  only  object  to  instruct  the  ignorant,  to  confirm 
the  faithful,  to  comfort  the  weak,  the   fearful,  and  the   distressed,  by   the 
promises  of  grace,  and   to  fight   against   the  proud  and  rebellious  by  the 
Divine  threatnings.     I   know  that  many  have  Irequeutly   and  loudly  com- 
plained, and  do  yet  complain  of  my  too  great  *everity  ;  but  God  knows  that 
uiy  mind  was  always  void  of  hatred  to  tlie  persons   of  those  against  whom  I 
thundered  the  severest  judgments.     I  cannot  deny  but  that  I  felt  the  great- 
est abhorrence  at  the  sins  in  which  they  indulged  ;  but  I  still  kept  this  one 
thing  in  view,  that  if  possible  I  might  gain  them  to  the   Lord      What  inllu- 
«nced  me  to  utter  whatever  the  Lord  put  into  my  month  so  boldly,  wiliinut 
respect  of  persons,  was  a  reverential  fear  of  my  God  who   called,  and  of 
his  grace  which  appointed  me,  to  be  a  steward  of  Divine  mystery  ;  and  a 
belief  that  he  will  demand  an  account  of  my  discharge  of  the  trust  commit- 
ted unto  me  when  I  stand  before  his  tribunal.     I  profess,  therefore,  before 
God  and  before  his  holy  angels,  that  I  never  made  merchandize  of  the  sacred 
word  of  God,  never  studied  to  please  men,  never  indulged  my  own  private 
passions  or  those  of  others,  but  faithfully  (listribut«'d  the  talent  entrusted  to 
me  for  the  edification  of  the  church  over  which  1  watched.     Wli  ilcvn  ob- 
loquy wicked  men  may  cist   on.  me  respecting  this  point,  I  rejoiee  iu  the 
testimony  of  a  good  conscience.     In  the  mean  time  my  dearest  hrethrcn, 
do  you  persevere  in  the  eternal  truth  of  the  Gospel  ;  Avait  diligently  on  the 
flock  over  which  the  Lord  hath  set  you,  and  which  he  redeemed  with  the 
Mood  ofhis  oidy  begotten  Son.     Anil  thou,   my  brotiier  La-vson,  tiglit  the 
good  fight,  and  do  the  work  of  the  L  jrd  joyfully  and  resolutely.     Tlie  Lord 
from  on  high  bless  you  and  the  whole  ehnret,  .>i  Kdinbnrgli.  against  whom, 
as  long  as  they  persevere  in  the  word  of  truth  which  they  have  lieard  of  uie, 
the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail.'  " — "  Ferc-Jving  that  he  breathed  with 
difficulty,  some  ofhis  attendants  asked  if  he  le't  much  pain.     He  answered 
that  he  was  willing  to  lie  there  for  ycirs  if  God  so  pleased,  and  il  he  con- 
tinued tosiiim;  upon  his  soul  through  Jpsus  Christ.     At  intervals  he  exhort* 
ed  and  prayetl.  '  Live  in  Christ,  live  in  Christ,  an<l  then  flesh  need   not  fear 
death.     Lord,  grant  true  pastors  to  thy  chnr»h.  that  purity  of  doctrine  may 
be  retained.     Restore  peace  again  to  this  commonwealth,  andjodly  rulers 
and  magistrates.     Once,  Lord  make  an  end  of  my  troubh  .     Lord  I  com- 
mend my  spirit,  soul,  and  body,  all  into  thy  hands.  Thou  knowest,  O  Lord, 
my  troubles.     I  do  not  murmur   against  Thee.'     After  this  he  appeared 
to  fall  into  a  slumber,  during  which  he  uttered  heavy  groans.    The  attend- 


APPENDIX.  47 

ants  looked  every  raoment  for  his  dissolution.  At  length  he  awaked  as  if 
iiom  sleep,  and  being  asked  the  cause  of  his  sighing  so  deeply,  replied  :  '  I 
have  fonnerlj ,  dm  Jug  ray  frail  life,  sustained  many  contests  and  many  as- 
saults ol  Satan  ;  but  at  present  that  roaring  lion  hath  assailed  me  most  fii-* 
I  ioiisly,  and  put  forth  all  his  stren^tli  to  devour  and  make  an  md  of  me  at 
once.  Often  be.ore,  he  has  placed  my  sins  before  my  eyes,  often  tempted 
me  to  despair,  often  endeavoured  to  ensnare  me  by  tiie  allurements  of  tl.ie 
viorld  ;  bwt  with  these  weapons,  broken  by  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  thf  word 
of  God,  he  could  not  prevail.  Now  he  has  attacked  me  in  another  way. 
The  cunning  serpent  hath  laboiued  to  peisiiade  me  that  I  have  merited 
heaven  and  eternal  blessedness  by  the  faithful  discharge  of  my  ministry. 
But  blessed  be  God,  who  has  enabled  me  to  beat  down  and  quench  this  fie- 
ry dart,  by  suggesting  to  me  such  passages  of  Scripture  as  these  :  '  What 
luist  tliou  that  liiou  liast  not  received  By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  1 
am  :  not  I  hut  the  grace  of  God  in  me.'  Being  thus  vanquished  he  left  me. 
Wlierofure  1  give  thanks  to  my  God,  through  .lesus  Clirist,  who  was  pleased 
ta  give  me  the  victory,  and  1  am  persuaded  that  the  tempter  shall  not  again 
attack  me  ;  but  witliinashoit  time,  without  any  grea(  bodily  pain  or  an- 
guish of  maid,  I  shall  exchange  this  mortal  and  miserable  life  for  a  blessed 
iuiiriortality  Ihiongh  Christ  Jesus.'  Dr.  Preston  asked  him  if  he  had  heard 
thciipravtrs,  •  VVonlo  to  God,'  he  said,  '  that  you  and  all  men  had  heard 
them  as  I  nave  heard  them.  1  praise  God  for  that  heavenly  sound.'  About 
eleven  o'clock  he  gavi>  a  deep  sigh,  and  siid,  Noic  it  is  come.  Richard 
Bicmatyne  inunediately  drew  near,  and  desired  him  to  think  upon  those 
comfortable  promises  of  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  which  he  had  so  often 
declared  to  others;  and  perceiving  that  he  was  speechless,  requested  him 
lo  give  tiiem  a  sign  t!aat  he  heard  them,  and  died  in  peace.  Upon  this  he 
liflrd  upone  of  his  hands,  and  sighing  twice  expired  without  a  struggle." 
At  his  unieial  after  he  had  been  interred  in  the  sepulchre,  the  Regent  of 
ocouan.i  pronoiniced  his  eulogy,  *'  Here  lies  he  who  never  feared  the  face 
ofviaa.'"  And  christian  cliarity  wrote  his  epilajih.  "  good  and  faithfi.il 
servdut  of  the  Lord."     He  entered  Paradise,  November  24,  1572. 

MELANCTHON. 

The  history  of  this,  equally  with  the  other  Reformers,  from  their  con- 
nection witiithe  general  ev' nts  which  occured,  of  which  they  were  olten 
the  iiiain  sj.i.iig,  is  invaiiibly  so  commingled  with  the  Reformation  that  a 
circunislautial  narralivi  cannot  be  incorporated.  His  prominent  character- 
istics lUiist  be  leariil  liicreforc  lioin  a  few  detached  merooiials. 

Mciancliion  was  '  tfie  intimate  friend  and  distinguished  co  adjutor  of 
Martin  iiUtlier  ;'  ano  in  his  character  was  associated  tiie  most  genuine  piety 
with  a  high  degree  ol  literary  talent,  and  a  laijje  portion  of  Christian  chari- 
ty. He  was  born  m  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century,  and  educated  in  the 
bosoai  01  tiie  church  of  lionu  .  under  the  ablest  scholars  of  the  age,  whom, 
however,  iie  soon  equ.illed,  and  perhaps  excelled,  particularly  in  the  Greek 
literature,  wiiieh  he  was  an  eminent  instrument  of  reviving  and  extending. 

'J'he  charactero!  Melancthou  was,  it  seems,  inclined  to  melancholy,  and 
he  wa^  oitenlortnred  vviih  anxieties:  and  when  his  friends  conjured  him 
to  suppress  thnu,  he  would  piously  reply,  '  If  1  had  no  ansietir-s,  I  should 
loseapoweriul  incentive  to  piayer;  but  when  the  cares  of  life  impel  to  de- 
votion, the  best  means  of  consolation,  a  religious  inuid  cannot  do  without 
them.  Tims  trouble  compels  me  to  pray,  and  prayer  drives  away  trouble.' 
Availing  himself  of  a  favorable  opportunity,  he  went  from  Spires  to  pay  a 
shoit  visit  to  his  mother.  In  the  course  of  conversation,  she  mentioned  to 
her  sou  the  manner  in  which  she  was  accustomed  to  attend  to  her  devotions, 


48  APPENDIX. 

and  the  i'oriv  she  generally  iiseil,  which  was  free  from  the  prevailing  «iiper- 
stiltous.  •*  lint  what  (said  slie)  am  I  to  beiirve  amidst  so  mar.y  different 
opinions  of  the  present  d.iy  ?"  *'  Goon  (replied  .Melancthnn)  lieiifv'- -.ind 
pray  as  yon  do  and  have  done  before,  and  do  not  disturb  yours.. it  about  the 
dispulfsanrt  controversies  of  ti)e  limes." 

All  anecdote  of  Luther,  is  iiighiy  cbaracteristio  of  the  spirit  of  that  Re- 
former. On  visiting  Meluncthon,  who  was  taken  ill  on  his  journey  to  Ha- 
gnenaw,  he  foinid  liini  apparently  at  the  point  of  death,  and  burst  onl  into 
the  loliowing  strain  ol  aidtut  devotion  :"We  ipiplo'e  tliee,  O  Lord  our  God  I 
we  cast  all  our  bnrdens  on  thee,  diulwiU  crij  till  Ihnu  hearest  w?,  pieadinz 
ail  the  promises  whicji  can  be  found  in  th  /  Holy  ^Sc'ripture.s,  respecting  thy 
hearinji  prayer  ;  so  that  thou  must  indeed  hear  us,  to  preserve,  at  all  rntnre 
periods,  our  confidence  in  tl)iue  own  proiuises."  After  this  he  seized  tiio 
hand  (if  Mtlancthon,  and  in  the  tone  of  a  p'ophet,  said,  "  Be  of  good  cour- 
age, l^niiip,  i/ou  shall  no!  die  ;"  and  Iroin  that  moment  IMeianclhon  beg;in 
to  revive,  and  speedily  recovered.  Upon  this  fact  we  add  one  remirlc. 
that  the  conduct  of  eminent  men,  on  extraordinary  occasions,  must  not  be 
drawu  into  precedent  in  the  ciicum^tances  of  comuum  life. 

It  IS  not  a  littie  remarkable,  that  in  the  case  of  Sei  vctns,  the  memory  of 
which  departed  Blasphemer  and  Infidel,  heretics  of  every  class  and  of  ail 
subsequent  generations,  and  enemies  of  tlie  cross  'f  Christ  of  all  grai'es  of 
corruption  and  insolence,  have  embalmed  as  a  standing  memento  whnue 
to  iiiannfactiiie  lalsehood  and  vituperation  ;  this  proverbially  limb  like 
Reformer,  equally  with  all  the  othei  rrotestauts  of  that  period,  coincided 
with  Calvin.  But  iu  this  age,  Christians  of  every  party  retained  the  Popish 
doctrine,  •'that  gross  religions  errors  were  punisliable  by  the  civil  magis- 
trate ;"  on  which  principle  even  the  gentle  and  humane  iMelancthon  thought 
the  Council  of  Geneva,  had  done  *'  right  iu  putting  to  death  this  obstinate 
man  (Servelus)  ami  wondered  that  any  ouf  could  be  Ibund  to  disapprove  of 
this  proceeding." 

The  following  Ode,  although  expressly  written  ou  the  death  of  IMelanc- 
thon ;  may  with  equal  propriety  be  adapted  to  almost  all  oi  the  Reform- 
ers ;  and  is  here  introduced  as  a  general  elegiac  tribute  to  the  memory  of 
those  Christian  Heroes,  by  whose  instrumentality  we  enjoy  all  our  civil  and 
religious  immunities. 

ON  THE  DEATH  OF  PHlLir  MELANCTHON. 

OH  /  who  woiild  envy  thos<  who  tlie 

Victims  on  Ambition's  *hrine  ! 
Though  idiot  man  may  rank  ihem  high, 
And  to  the  slain  in  victory, 

Pay  honors  half  divine  ; 
To  feel  this  heaving,  fluttering  breath, 
StilI'd  by  the  lightest  touch  of  death, 

The  h.ippier  lot  be  mine  ; 
I  would  not,  that  the  murdering  brand. 
Were  the  last  weapon  in  my  hand. 

He,  of  whom  these  pages  tell, 

He,  a  soldier  too — of  truth, 

He,  a  hero  from  his  youth  ; 
How  delightfully  he  fell! 

Not  III  the  crash,  and  din,  and  flood. 

Of  cxeciations,  groans,  and  blood, 

Rivetling  fetters  on  the  good  : — 
But  happily,  and  well. 


i 


APPENDIX.  49 

Nq  song  of  triiiroph  'Oiinds  his  Tall, 

Nr»  m;uch  oi  deaiU  salutes  his  bier; 
But  tt  ibiite  swtetcr  iar  than  ;ill, 

The  saiiiUd  sigh,  the  orphan  tear  ! 
Yet  moiiin  not,  ye  ulo  si  nJ  around, 

Bid  not  iiioe  iess  svvii'tly  roll  ; 
What  thongh  sliatie  tlie  prospect  bound. 
He  a  brighter  norld  i!,'>  round. 

Death  is  the  l^irth-lIily  ol  tiie  soul ! 

Witness  !    Ibi'  ye  saw  him  die. 

Heard  yon  complaint,  or  groan,  or  sigh  ? 

Or  il  one  sigh  breathed  o'er  liis  breast. 
As  gentle  airs,  »vhen  dnys  of  summer  close,. 
Breathe  over  wearied  iiaiure  still  repose, 

Aoil  hill  a  lovely  evening  to  rest  , 
It  whimpered,-  "  All  within  is  peace. 
♦•  Toe  .storm  is  o'er,  and  troubles  cease." 

His  S!!n  wetitdownin  cloudless  skies. 
Assured  upon  the  moru  to  rise 

In  lovelier  array  ; 
But  no!  like  Earth's  declining  light 
To  vanish  back  again  to  night  ; 
The  zenith  wh«re  he  now  shall  glow 
No  bound,  no  setting  beam,  can  know  ; 
Without  or  cloud  or  shade  of  woe. 

Is  that  eternal  day. 

History  will  not  write  his  name. 
Upon  the  cmnson  roll  of  fnme. 
But  Religion,  meeker  maid, 

Mark  him  in  her  tablet  i'air  ; 

And,  when  udlliou  names  shall  fade, 

His  will  stand  recorded  there  ! 

XII.  Page  266. 

The  biographical  notices  of  the  martyrs  mentioned  in  the  text,  with  an 
abstract  of  their  disputations  in  defence  of  ihe  truth  aie  unavoiiiably  o- 
uiilted  ;  and  tor  the  same  cause,  that  the  \voi k  might  not  U-  extemkd  be- 
yond its  limits^i(^he  examples  of  divine  retribution  upou  the  persecutors 
of  Christ's  disciples,  are  excluded.  Tnuse  who  desire  a  full  acquaintance 
with  this  subject  are  referred  to  Fox's  Back  of  Martyrs. 

XIH.  Page  267.     fValter  Mill  or  Milne. 

This  martyr  for  the  truth  was  an  aged  minister  of  the  most  inoffensive 
manners,  whose  death  excited  universal  horror  thoughout  Scotland.  No 
oue  of  tlie  civil  officers  could  be  found  who  would  partake  in  his  exf  ntiou  ; 
one  of  the  Archbishop  of  St.  Andrew's  servants  at  lensitli  engage.i  in  the  o- 
diouswork — when  fastened  to  the  stake,  he  said,  *•  I  trust  in  God  [shall  be^ 
the  last  that  shall  snflTer  death  for  his  hoiy  cause."  His  c>.nfi(ience  was  (rue. 
He  was  the  last  Scotch  martyr  fur  the  Protestant  religii>n  His  pretended 
trial  and  death  are  one  of  the  most  interesting  passages  in  ecclesiastical 
histnrv. 


50  Ai'I'ENDlX. 

XIV.  TliU  number  was  altered  by  mi-!ake. 
XV.  Page  323.     Scotland  before  the  Reformation. 

The  corruptions  bj  which  the  cliristivin  religion  was  universally  depraved, 
before  the  Rei'orination.  Ii.ul  ^rown  to  a  greater  height  in  Scotland,  thaniu 
any  other  nation  of  tlie  Wcslrrn  church.  Snpersliti"n  and  religious  impos- 
ture, in  their  grossest  forms,  gained  an  easy  admission  among  a  rude  and 
ignorant  people.  By  means  of  the-^e.  the  clergy  attained  to  an  exorbitant 
<legree  ofopiiience  and  power  ;  which  were  accompuiieJ,  as  they  always 
hare  been,  with  the  co'rnplion  of  their  order,  and  ol  llie  whole  system  of 
religion.  Tlie  full  half  of  the  weaitli  of  the  nation  belonged  to  the  clergy  ; 
and  the  greater  part  of  this  was  in  the  hands  of  a  few  of  their  number,  who 
bad  the  command  of  the  whole  body.  Avarice,  ambition,  and  the  love  of 
secular  pomp,  leigned  among  the  superior  orders.  Bisiiops  aud  Abbots  ri- 
valled the  first  nobility  in  magnificence,  aud  preceded  them  in  honours.  A 
vacant  bishopiic  or  abbacy  called  forth  powerful  competitors,  who  contend- 
ed for  it  as  for  a  principdiity  or  petty  kingdom  ;  it  was  obtained  by  simi- 
I  ir  irt>*.  and  not  unfrequently  taken  possession  of  by  the  same  weapons. 
Inferior  benefices  were  openly  put  to  sale,  or  bestowed  on  the  illiterate  and 
unworthy  minions  of  c-iurtiers  ;  on  dice-players,  strolling  bards,  and  the 
bastards  of  Bishops.  Tliere  was  not  such  a  thing  known  as  for  a  bishop  to 
preach;  th<'  practice  was  even  gone  into  dissuetude  among  all  the  secular 
clergv.  and  was  wholly  drvidved  on  the  mendicant  monks,  who  employed  it 
for  tlie  (nost  mercnary  purposes. 

Tlie  lives  of  the*  I-  rgy,  exempted  from  secular  jurisdiction,  and  corrupt- 
ed by  w»alih  aiiii  idleness  were  become  a  scandal  to  religion,  aud  an  outrage 
on  d'ciMicy.  T*ir  lUgli  the  blind  devotion  and  munificence  of  princes  aud 
iiobl'  s.  monasteries  those  nurseries  of  superstition  aud  idleness,  had  great- 
ly inullij.li.il  in  the  nation  ;  and  though  they  had  universally  degenerated, 
and  wr.-  notoriously  be<ome  tlie  haunts  ol  lewdness  and  debauchery,  it 
was  df  i'-iied  impious  aud  sacrilegious  to  rehice  their  number,  abridge  their 
prifileges,  or  ali'unte  their  finuis.  The  kingdom  swarmed  with  ignorant, 
idle,  luxurious  monks,  who,  like  locusts,  devoured  the  fruits  of  the  earth, 
and  filled  the  air  with  pestilential  infection  :  friars,  white,  black,  aadgrey  ; 
with  cannne^ses  of  various  clans. 

The  igaorance  of  the  clergy  respecting  religion  was  as  gross  as  thedisso- 
luteiif'ss  of  their  morals.  Even  bishops  were  not  ashamed  to  confess  that 
they  »v<  le  unacquainted  with  the  canon  of  their  faith,  and  had  never  read 
any  part  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  except  what  they  met  within  their  missals. 
Under  such  pastors  the  people  perished  for  lack  of  knowledge.  That  book 
which  was  able  to  make  thtm  wise  unto  salvation,  and  intended  to  be  e- 
qually  accessilde  by  "  Jew  and  Greek,  Barbarian  and  Scythian,  bond  and 
free,"  was  locked  up  Inun  tliem,  and  the  use  of  it,  in  their  own  tongue, 
prohibited  under  the  heaviesi  penalties.  The  religious  service  was  mum- 
bled over  in  a  dead  language,  which  many  of  the  priests  did  not  understand, 
and  some  of  tli«in  could  scarcely  rra.i  ;  and  the  greatest  care  was  taken  to 
prevent  even  cateclii>;ms,  composed  and  approved  by  the  clergy,  from  com- 
ing into  the  hands  of  the  laity. 

Large  sums  of  money  were  annually  exported  out  of  the  kingdom,  for  the 
puic!i,i»ing  of  palls,  the  confirmation  of  benefices,  the  conducting  of  appeals, 
aud  for  mu)y  other  purposes  ;  in  exchange  for  which,  were  received  leadea 
bulls,  .voollen  palls,  wooden  images,  plenty  of  old  bones,  with  similar  ar- 
ticles of  pr«-cious  cons -crated  mummery.  Of  the  doctrhie  of  Christianity 
scarcely  any  thing  remained  but  the  name.  Instead  of  being  directed  to  of- 
fer up  their  adorations  to  oue  God,  the  people  were  taught  to  divide  them 


APPENDIX.  51 

among  an  ioiuimerable  company  of  infeiior  ohj'cts.  A  plurality  of  medi- 
ators shared  the  honor  of  procuring  the  divine  iavonr.  witli  the  "One 
Mediator  hetwfcn  God  and  man  ;"  and  nforc  pftitioiis  were  presented  to 
the  VirjTiii  Mary  and  other  saints,  than  to  "  Him  whom  (he  Father  hcarelh 
always."  The  sacritice  of  the  mass  was  represented  as  procuring:  Inrgive- 
iiess  of  sins  to  the  living  and  the  dead,  to  the  infinite  disparagement  of  tlie 
sacrifice  by  nhieh  Jesus  Christ  expiiitet!  sin  and  procured  everl-ivting;  re- 
demption ;  and  (he  consciences  oi  men  wr-re  vvithdrawn  from  faith  in  the 
merits  of  their  Saviour,  to  a  delusive  reliance  upon  priestly  absohitions, 
papal  pardons,  and  voluntary  penances.  !nst(  ad  of  Iteing  instiiicted  to 
demonstrate  the  sincerity  of  their  faith  and  repentance,  by  forsikniii:  their 
sins,  and  to  testify  their  lore  to  God  and  man,  by  observing  the  ordinances 
of  worship  authorised  by  scriptiue.  and  practising  the  duties  of  morality  ; 
they  were  taught,  that,  if  they  re2n!,ir!y  said  their  Jves  and  Credos,  con- 
fessed themselves  to  a  priest,  purchased  a  mass,  wiMit  in  pilgrimage  to  the 
shrine  of  some  celebrated  saint,  or  pei  fcrinKl  some  prescribed  act  (dlwrtily 
mortification — if  they  refrained  frosn  flesh  on  F<  idays,  and  punctually  paid 
their  tithesand  other  church  dues,  their  salvation  was  infallibly  se<  ured  in 
due  time  :  while  those  who  were  so  rich  and  pious  as  to  tnuld  a  chapel  or 
an  altar,  and  to  endow  it  for  the  snppoit  of  a  priest,  to  perform  masses,  o- 
bits,  and  dirges,  procured  a  relaxation  of  the  pains  of  purgatory  for  them- 
selves or  their  relations,  according  to  the  extent  of  their  mortifications.  Le- 
gendary tales  concerning  tiie  foinider  of  some  religious  order,  his  wonderful 
sanctity,  the  miiacles  which  he  perfoimed,  his  combats  with  tjie  devil,  his 
watcliings,  fastings,  flagellations;  the  virtues  of  holy  water,  chrism,  cross- 
ing, and  exorcism  ;  the  horrors  of  purgatory,  with  the  numbers  released 
from  it  by  the  intercession  of  some  powerful  saint;  these,  witl  low  jests, 
table-talk,  and  fire-side  scandal,  fornied  the  favorite  topics  ot  these  preach- 
ers, and  were  served  up  to  the  people  instead  of  the  pure,  solid,  and  sub- 
lime doctrines  of  the  Bible. 

The  beds  of  the  dying  were  beseiged,  and  their  last  momenta  distiu  iied  by 
avaricious  priests,  who  laboured  to  extort  b(  qn.  sts  to  them^ielvesor  to  the 
church.  Not  satisfied  with  the  exacting  of  tvt.'ies  from  (he  living,  a  <le- 
mand  was  made  upon  the  dead  :  no  snoner  had  a  poor  hnsb.tndinan  hivaified 
his  last,  than  the  rapacious  vicar  came  and  can  iol  oflT  his  corps  (»r.  sent, 
which  he  repeated  as  often  as  death  visited  the  fanii'y.  Ecclesiastic.il  cen- 
sures were  fulminated  against  those  »vho  were  rehictant  in  m-king  these 
payments,  or  who  shawedthemselves  disobedient  to  the  cligy  ;  and.  for 
a  little  money  they  were  prostituted  on  the  most  trifling  occasions.  Divine 
service  was  neglected  ;  the  chinches  were  deserted  ;  so  that,  except  on  a 
few  festival  days,  the  places  of  woiship  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  served 
only  as  sanctuaries  for  malefactors,  places  oltiatiic.  or  resorts  for  pastime. 

Persecution,  and  the  suppression  *f  free  inqury,  were  the  only  weapons 
by  which  its  interested  supporters  were  able  to  deleod  this  system  ot  cor- 
ruption and  imposture.  F.very  avenue  by  which  truth  might  enter  was 
carefully  guarded.  Learning  was  brandeii  as  thepirentof  heresy.  The 
most  frighttui  pictures  were  drawn  of  thnss;  wlio  had  sej)arated  from  the  Ro- 
mish church,  and  held  up  before  the  eyes  of  the  people,  to  dtlcrthcni  from 
imitatirg  their  example.  If  any  person  attaimd  a  degree  of  iliinnination  a- 
midst  the  general  darkness,  began  to  hint  di^'<■atis|■^cii()n  witli  thecontiuct  of 
the  clergy,  and  to  propose  the  correction  of  abuses,  he  wa*-  immeditely 
stigmatized  as  a  heretic,  and,  if  he  did  not  secure  his  safety  'ly  tight,  was 
imii  ured  in  a  dungeon  or  committed  to  the  (lames 

^rom  this  imperfect  sketch  we  may  sec  how  fdse  the  representation  is 
which  some  persons  would  impose  on  us  ;  as  if  popery  were  a  system,  erro- 
neous indeed,  but  purely  speculative  !  superslilious,  but  harmless;  provided 


52  APPENDIX. 

it  had  not  been  acoitlentall."  aotompanied  with  intolerance  an<i  rriifltj. 
TliP  very  reverse  is  the  rjiitli.  It  iiiav  Ik-  sali'ly  saiti.  tliat  there  is  not  one 
of  its  erroneoii%  tonet^,  or  oritssiiijcisijiioim  piattiees,  which  was  pet  i  it  her 
or  2  0  lly  e.ouMived.  or  artliiHj  iucomiiUKlHted,  to  a«lv,incc  and  Mi|iport 
some  practical  al)iise  ;  to  aggraiuiize  t!u'  ecei  'si;i>itical  order,  secure  to  Ihem 
iinmiiiiity  from  civil  iiiris.lie.liou,  sanelily  their  encroachments  upon  st^cuiar 
ant'ioiiti.  s.  vimiicatt  their  nsnrpaions  npon  tlie  c>>Dscienres  of  m-.n,  t  her- 
ish  implie  t  obedience  to  the  decisions  of  the  church,  and  extin<;iiisb  free 
inqiii  y  and  liherii  srience. 

It  WIS  a  system  not  more  repugnant  to  tlie  religion  of  the  Bihle,  than 
incompntitili'  vvitli  tli^' independenee.  Mh^M■ty.and  prosperity  of  kingdoms. ; 
a  sy>itf-m  not  mon^  destructive  to  the  souls  ot  mcu.  than  to  social  and  do- 
mestic happiness  and  tii<"  principles  of  sound  morality.  To  the  revival  of 
the  primitive  doctrines  and  insutntions  ofChristi.mity,  hy  the  preaciiing  and 
writins'*  of  the  Reformers,  and  to  those  controversies  by  which  the  popish 
errois  were  cunlnted  from  Scripture;  woaieehiifly  intlehted  for  the  over- 
throw ofsupi  rtilion,  ignorance  and  de>potism  ;  and  for  th.^  hiessings.  po- 
litical and 'eiigions.  which  we  enjoy,  all  of  whicjj  may  be  traced  to  the 
Reform  it  ion  from  popery. 

How  gratetui  should  we  be  to  divine  Piovidence  for  this  happy  revolu- 
tion !  For  those  persons  do  but  "sport  uiJh  their  own  imaginations,"  who 
flatter  themselves  that  it  must  have  taken  place  in  the  ordinal y  coinse  of 
human  affairs,  and  overlook  the  many  convincing  proofs  of  the  superin- 
tending direction  of  superior  wisdom,  in  the  whole  combination  of  circum- 
stances which  contributed  to  hrii.g  about  the  Ilefoimation  in  Scotland 
as  well  as  throughout  Europe.  How  much  are  we  indebted  to  those  men, 
who  nndei  God.  were  the  instruments  in  effecting  it  ;  who  cheerfully  Jeo- 
pardized  their  lives,  to  atchie.ve  a  design  which  involved  the  felicity  of  mil- 
lions unborn  ;  boldly  attacked  the  system  of  error  and  corruption,  fortified 
by  popular  credulity,  custom  and  laws,  fenced  with  the  most  dreadful 
penalties  ;  and  having  ibrced  the  strong  hold  of  superstition,  and  penetra- 
ted the  recesses  of  its  temple,  tore  aside  the  veil  which  concealed  that 
monstrous  idol  »hich  the  world  had  so  long  worshipped,  and  dissolving  the 
magic  spell  by  which  tiie  human  mind  'vas  bouu<t,  restored  it  to  liberty  ! 
how  criminal  must  those  be,  who,  silting  at  ease  under  their  vines  and 
figtrees,  planted  by  the  unwearied  labours,  and  watered  by  the  blood  of 
thesf^  patriots,  discover  their  disesteem  of  the  invaluable  privilcies  which 
they  inherit,  or  their  ignorance  oi  the  expence  at  which  they  were  purchas- 
ed, by  the  most  unwothy  treatment  of  those  to  "horn  they  owe  tiiem  ; 
misrepresent  their  actions,  calumniate  their  motives,  and  cruelly  lacerate 
their  memories ! 

Patriots  have  toii'd,  and  in  their  country's  cause 
Bled  nobly  ;  and  their  daeds,  as  they  deserve, 

Recrive   proud  recoiripence 

But  fairer  wreaths  are  due,  though  never  paid, 
To  those  who,  posted  at  the  shiine  o!  truth, 

Have  fallen  in  her  defence. 

Their  blood  is  shed. 

In  conthuiation  of  the  noblest  claim. 
Our  claim  to  i'ee(\  upon  immortal  truth. 
To  walk  with  God,  to  be  divintly  free, 
To  soar,  and  to  anticipate  the  skies. 

Yet  few  remember  tlnm. 

Wiih  their   name 

No  bard  embalms  and  sanctities  his  song 


APPEiVDJLX,  ^Jj- 

And  history,  so  warm  on  meaner  Ihemcs, 
!>;  cold  ill  this.     She  execrates  indeed 
Tlie  t_vi;uiny  tliat  doora'd  them  to  the  Hre, 
But  gives  the  glorious  sufferers  little  praise. 

XVI.  Page  332.     The  Scotch  Sccesswa. 

In  1732.  more  than  40  ministers  presented  a  mcmori.iJ  to  the  genera!  as- 
sembly spe«i,jijig  great  detrcfioiis  from  the  eonstitntioii  ot  the  cliiirch,  and 
praying  tor  ruiress,  A  similar  petition  tinm  several  hundred  <  Idns  aiid 
privjitr  rlinstiai'.s  was  also  then  offered;  but  the  assembly  eoiitemptiioiisly 
enacted,  tliat  when  there  was  no  private  presentation  to  the  living,  the  ei- 
ders and  heritors  alone  being  Protestants,  should  elect  the  Minister.  Tliis 
act  was  objected  to  by  a  large  niioiber  of  the  Preachers  and  their  congre- 
gation.— as  it  entirely  divested  at  least  30  to  1  of  the  people  who  were  nnf 
landlioldi  rs  of  their  right  to  chnse  their  Pastors  ;  and  this  proceeding  was 
d,noiii:ced  as  pr»  judicial  to  the  hoiiSurand  interest  olthe  ehnich  ;  i;e.4ii:L- 
tive  o(  the  people's  edification  ;  contrary  to  the  authority  of  Jesns  Christ  ; 
and  ineoi  sistent  with  Apostolic  practice,  which  sanctioned  the  cloice  ofel- 
dersand  dearons  by  thr  whole  niuititiide  of  Christians. 

Ebenezei  Ersi^ine.  minister  of  Stirling,  being  appointed  to  preach  ^ser- 
mon belorethe  Synod  of  Perth,  with  great  boldness  ennmeiated  what  he 
conceived  to  be  llie  sins  and  defections  of  the  chinch  :  and  among  these, 
pationaK,e,  and  the  evils  arising  from  its  rigorous  exercise,  were  not  iorgot- 
ten.  CUrieal  men  have  never  been  lamed  for  being  humble  and  docile 
hearers  ,  nor  did  the  present  instance  furnish  an  exception.  Instead  of 
meekly  it-ceivingthe  word  oi  exhortation,  lor  three  days  the  synod  warmly 
disputed  concerning  the  obnoxious  preacher ;  and  at  last  determined  tlia|; 
he  should  hereljuked  at  their  bar,  both  for  the  matter  and  the  manner  of 
his  seinmn.  From  this  decision,  twelve  iiiini-;fers  and  two  elders  dissented, 
and  Air.  Eiskine  appealed  to  the  General  Ass-emWy  ;  but  liPie  too,  he 
found  the  same  reception,  for  embracing  the  sentiments  of  the  synod  they 
ordered  him  to  be  rebuked  at  their  dread  bar.  Conceiving  that  he  plead- 
ed for  the  cause  of  God  and  truth,  Mr.  Erskine  protested,  that  without  vio- 
lat  ng  his  conscience,  he  could  not  submit  to  the  rebuke,  and  insisted  that  he 
should  be  left  at  liberty  to  deliver  the  same  testimony  on  every  proper  oc- 
casion. Three  other  ministers  William  Wilson.  Alexander  Monerief,  and 
James  Fisher  joined  in  his  protest  The  meekness  and  gentleness  of  Christ 
do  not  appear  to  have  been  that  day  the  reigning  principles  in  the  assem- 
bly ;  for  they  ordered  their  ooirimission,  at  Vse  next  meeting  to  proceed 
against  the  four  brethren,  and  if  they  did  not  retract  their  protest  and  ex- 
press their  sorrow  for  it,  to  suspend  them  from  their  office,  or  even  inflict 
severer  censure.  Mr.  Erskine  and  his  adherents  remaining  stedfast  in  their 
sentiments,  the  sentence  o  I  suspension  was  pronounced  against  them  ;  and 
some  mouths  afterwards  at  another  meeting,  the  same  ecclesiastical  court 
finding  them  still,  as  they  termed  it,  obstinate  and  impenitent,  their  relation 
to  their  congregations  was  dissolved  ;  the  moderator's  casting  vote  deter- 
mined a  point  so  important  i.-i  its  consequences  to  the  Scottish  establish- 
ment. Against  this  sentence  too  the  four  brethren  protested,  insisting  that 
the  validity  of  their  office  as  ministers,  and  their  relation  to  their  congrega- 
tions should  not  be  effected  by  it  :  and  they  declared  a  secession,  not  from 
the  constitution  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  to  which  they  professed  their  ar- 
dent adherence,  but  from  the  prevailing  party  in  her  judicatories. 

Such  was  the  comineueement  of  a  separation  from  the  established  ehiirct 
whiih  has  befn  increasing  for  foiirsccie  /ears,  and  which  is  likely  to  be  ot" 


54  APPENDIX. 

equal  duration  with  the  church  itself.  Nor  ran  it  be  denied,  that  for  the 
first  half  century  at  least  of  its  existence,  in  proportion  to  their  numbers, 
few  sects  can  boast  of  so  many  laborious,  faitliful,  and  ortl)odox  ministers, 
and  intelligent  and  exemplary  private  Christians  within  the  pale  of  their 
communion. 

The  leaders  intiie  secession  were  men  of  eminent  piety,  unshaken  integ- 
rity, deeply  concerned  for  the  prosperity  of  religion,  and  wholly  devoted  to 
the  service  of  Christ.  Their  preaching  was  evangelical,  anfl  the  manner  of 
some  of  them  exceedingly  popular.  But  they  had  studied  that  part  of  the 
Gospel  which  enjoins  crucifixion  to  the  world,  and  keeping  at  (he  remotest 
distance  from  every  vice,  more  than  that  which  inculcates  the  meekness  and 
gentleness  of  Ciirist,  and  the  catholic  philanthropy  which  sweetens  as  well 
as  purities  the  soul.  Their  principles  of  church  government  were  injurious 
to  their  minds.  While  the  independent  derives  all  his  i-ligion  both  as  to 
doctrine  and  discipline  from  the  sacred  Scripture,  the  Scotch  presb',  terian 
of  those  days  derived  a  multitude  of  his  ideas  from  the  confession  of  faith, 
the  books  of  discipline,  the  acts  of  the  general  assembly,  and  some  ni  addi- 
tion to  these  from  the  solemn  league  and  covenant.  These  at  once  pervert- 
ed and  contracted  his  heart,  and  brought  into  his  religious  system  <  multi- 
tude of  human  ordinances  which  he  regarded  as  essential  parts  oi  divine 
truth  :  hence  flowed  a  spirit  of  intolerance,  and  sourness,  ami  severity. 

Another  difficulty  arising  also  from  the  system  of  established  presbytery, 
Mr.  Erskine  and  his  brethren  found  in  the  character  and  conduct  ot  many 
of  the  persons  with  whom  they  were  associated  in  an  ecclesiastical  boriy. 
During  the  long  period  of  the  church's  peace,  some  were,  tromyear  to  }'ear, 
entering  on  the  performance  of  the  sacred  functions  who  were  not  endued 
with  the  spirit  of  their  office.  But  with  these  men  they  vvere  obliged  to 
associate  in  their  church  courts,  to  unite  with  them  in  various  parts  of  min- 
isterial duty,  and  to  acknowle<lge  them  as  br- thren  in  the  work  of  Christ. 
Episcopacy  is  a  loose  system  which  exercises  little  controni  over  the  parson 
of  a  parish,  if  he  performs  what  the  rubric  enjoins.  He  is  required  t*  have 
scarcely  more  intercourse  with  the  neigiiborujic  priesthood  than  is  agreea- 
ble to  his  choice  ;  and  in  the  meetings  of  the  bishop  witu  t'le  clergy,  there 
is  no  exercise  of  ecclesiastical  authority  in  vvhicli  ne  is  required  (o  take  an 
active  part  in  conjunction  with  his  worldly  brethren.  But  presbytery  is  a 
compact  and  active  system,  which  obliges  .i  minister  to  sit  and  vole  in  ec- 
clesiastical courts  in  conjunction- with  the  rest  of  his  body,  and  to  unite 
with  the  worst  of  men  in  carry  i:ig  into  ex*  cution  th-  (ii'cisions  of  their  courts, 
however  contrary  they  may  !)e  to  his  own  iu  gm  -t.  This  grievous  incon- 
venience was  deeply  felt  by  Mr.  Erskme  and  tliose  who  thought  with  him  : 
it  was  their  continual  burden,  iKt  it  was  one  of  the  things  which  led  to  a 
separation  from  the  established  church. 

To  prevent  an  entire  separation  was  at  last  the  wish  of  those  who  had 
acted  with  so  much  severity  ;  and  in  1734  the  general  assembly  decr<ed 
that  the  seceding  brethren  should  be  restored  to  the  execution  of  their  office. 
The  seceders  would  not  accept  the  boon.  In  1739  they  *vere  commnnded 
to  appear  before  the  court,  and  a  wiliingness  was  expressed  to  receive  tliein 
again  into  communion.  This  offer  b  iiig  reject -d,  the  assembly  of  th*  jI- 
lowing  year  deposed  them  from  the  ministerial  office,  as  to  the  exercise  of 
it  in  the  church  of  Scotland 

The  seceding  brethren  were  not  idle  spectators  of  these  proceei'ings.  Im- 
tuediately  after  their  suspension,  they  Ibrmed  litems'  ives  into  a  distinct  ec- 
clesiastical body,  to  which  they  gave  the  ni>rae  oi'thi  associated  presbvfery, 
and  drew  up  what  they  called  a  testimony.  .  ontaining  a  vit  «t  of  th'  ir  prin- 
ciples, which  they  held  to  be  those  of  the  church  of  Scotland  in  her  purity. 
Still,  however,  they  did  not  lose  sight  of  returning  to  then-  former  stations,; 


APPENBIX.  55 

but  when  the  favour  was  offered  to  them,  in  1739,  they  were  unable  to  ac- 
t-ept  it  :  tor  by  keeping  their  eyes  steadfastly  fixed  on  every  thing  amiss  in 
her,  they  perceived  so  many  and  so  great  corruptions,  that  they  were  a- 
Iriiid  to  go  back  into  her  communion.  After  a  time,  a  second  testimony 
appeared,  comprising  an  immense  mass  of  historical  record,  detailing  the 
sins  of  the  land,  and  the  defections  of  the  church;  and  this  they  made  one 
of  the  standards  of  the  body.  JNot  satisfied  with  these  displays  of  their 
principles  and  complaints,  after  they  were  entirely  separated  from  the 
church,  in  1743,  they  renewed  with  an  oath  the  solemn  league  and  coven- 
ant, and  they  went  so  lar  as  to  make  it  a  terra  of  ministerial  and  Christian 
comsniuHOO. 

Ill  the  course  of  these  proceedings,  the  active  and  faithful  discharge  of 
their  ministerial  functions  presents  a  more  pleasing  prospect.  Mr.  Erskine 
and  his  colleagues  became  itinerants  and  preached  throughout  the  country- 
For  this  service  they  were  well  qualified  by  their  eminent  skill  in  theology, 
the  superior  purity  of  their  doctrine,  and  the  fervour  and  energy  of  their 
elocution.  The  effect  was  powerful ;  multitudes  joined  them,  the  number 
of  tlieir  congregations  continued  yearly  to  increase,  till  a  check  was  re- 
ceived by  aa  unnatural  div.sion  among  themselves. 

While  in  the  excess  of  their  zeal  for  little  things,  and  the  indulgence  of 
scrupulosity  of  conscience,  the  seceders  had  proceeded  to  raise  high  walls 
of  separation  helweeii  tlicmselves  and  ail  other  christians  in  the  world,  in 
1745  tlie  baneful  effects  o.  this  contracted  spirit  were  betrayfd  ii>  rending 
to  pieces  their  own  boJy,  and  producing  a  separa'Jm  which  betrayed  theno 
to  the.  lidicwle  of  thtir  eiitmies,  and  covered  them  with  dishonour  even 
in  the  eyes  of  their  friends.  In  the  oath  required  of  persons  who  become 
burgesses  of  corpuratious  in  Scotland,  there  is  the  following  clause;  "  I 
profess  and  allow  with  my  heart  the  true  religion  at  present  professed  within 
the  realm,  and  authorised  by  the  laws  thereof.  I  shall  abide  by  and  de- 
fend the  same  to  my  life's  end,  renouncing  the  Roman  religion  called 
papistry." 

This  declaration  some  of  the  seceders  conceived  to  be  perfectly  consis- 
tent with  their  principles,  because  it  was  the  pure  religion  ol  the  church 
of  Scotland  which  they  piofessed  they  would  maintain.  To  other*  of  their 
body  it  appealed  unlawful,  be.  a  ise  the  oath  was  administertd  by  the  mem- 
bers ol'the  established  church,  and  must  moan  religion  as  it  at  present  exist- 
ed in  the  establishment.  When  the  subject  was  brought  before  the  synod, 
those  who  thougut  the  o.ith  lawful  were  desirous  that  foibtaaucemight  be 
exercised,  and  no  decision  made  upon  it ;  and  this  was  carried  by  a 
majority  of  votes.  The  other  party  would  not  acquiesce  in  this  arrange- 
ment ;  but  leaving  the  place,  though  conftssedly  the  minority,  they  claimed 
to  themselves  the  name  and  powers  of  the  synod,  excommunicated  their 
brethren,  and  renounced  ail  leilowship  withtiiem.  From  that  time  1746, 
they  became  two  separate  t;o{Jies,  and  were  known  to  the  world  by  the 
undignified  names  of  burghers  and  antiburghers,  from  their  dpprobatiou 
or  their  condemnation  of  Ihe  burgess  oath. 

During  the  course  of  this  period  annther  separation  from  the  church  of 
ScoJaod  took  place,  but  on  principles  directly  opposite  to  those  of  the 
secpders.  The  author  of  it  was  Jolin  Glass,  minister  of  Tealing,  a  country 
parish  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Dundee,  who  had  imbibed  the  sentiments 
of  the  indepfiidenls,  but  carried  them  to  a  degree  of  minuteness  and 
rigoui  far  beyond  the  advocates  for  the  system,  in  England  and  Ameiica. 
Though  an  inveterate  enemy  to  presbytery,  he  had  not  the  maulin<'ss  to 
quit  his  living  ;  but  after  having  for  some  years  tormented  and  perplexed 
the  ecclesiastical  courts,  by  modes  of  reasoning  to  which  they  had  alto- 
gether been  unaccustomed,  he  was  arraigned  at  the  bar  of  the  presbytery 


'b  APPENDIX. 

of  Dun. lee,  ami  as  his  answers  tenfled  rather  to  confirm  than  to  remove 
tlii;  "^iiipirioiis  of  departure  tiotn  jjreshyteriaa  principles,  he  was  cited,  in 
Ai>iil.  1728.  before  the  synod  of  Angus  and  Mearns.  He  there  o;,.  u\y 
;iV(iwe.l  his  sentiments  cnncfrnino;  ihe  nature  anil  discipline  of  a  cliri>;i,in 
clincn  ;  and  bein^  asked  wiietlier  he  felt  himsiilf  ohiiaed  to  puhiish  tliese 
ofimions.  he  answered,  "  I  think  mys'lf  in  <onNcience  oiilized  to  declare 
evf>iy  trnth  of  Clirist,  and  keep  nothing  hack,  bnt  losptak  all  the  winds 
of  this  life,  and  to  teach  his  people  to  (djserve  all  things  wliats-ievcr  he 
<o::unands,  sn  far  as  I  can  nndeistand,  tlioiigh  olSeis  may  difier  liom  irie 
iind  1  in;iy  b«  exposed  lo  hazar<l  for  dechring  Ihem."  Tin  synod  then 
pronounced  him  deposed  from  his  office  as  minister  of  the  p.iris!)  ol  Teal- 
inil :  ;iod  he  [inblished  an  exposition  ot'tlie  pioposilion  "  tha(  a  coojiregilioit 
orci)nrcli  of  Jesns  Christ,  witli  its  presbytery  i<  in  its  discipline  >uijj.  c!  to 
no  jiuisdiction  under  heaven."  Notwithstanding  all  means  lor  reciainiing 
llie  Glassites,"  says  Brown,  "  they  obstinately  went  about  pieacliiug  Iheir 
principles  in  fields  or  streets,  or  printing  pamphlets  in  favoui  of  them,  so 
that  at  Icngili  the  synod  deposed  Mr.  Glass  from  the  office  ol  tise  holy 
mini'itry." 

Mr.  Gl.iss  was  a  man  of  very  considerable  talents,  and  dlnsiraud  some 
parts  ol  the  gospel  with  pec(diar  felicity,  siujplicity,  and  pioiiy.  i'hoiigU 
dillering  so  widely  in  his  opinion  from  the  seceeders.  he  eqiulltd  or  per- 
haps exceeded  them  in  a  contracted  spirit,  in  excluding  all  »>tlif  i  ClniMians 
from  his  communiou.  and  in  short  in  confining  Christianity  to  himself  aiiu 
(o  his  sect. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  this  period  another  sect  arose,  whidi  took  to 
itseli  the  name  of  the  Presbytery  of  Relief.  It  derived  its  origin  from  the 
tyranny  of  the  chnichof  Scotland,  and  alone  of  all  thedivisioiis  in  diat 
country  can  lay  claim  to  the  praise  of  liberality  in  principles.  The  person 
compelled  to  be  its  founder  was  Thomas  Gillespie,  minister  of  Cainock, 
a  man  of  apostolical  sanctity  and  zeal,  as  faithful  to  liis  charge  and  as 
nnbiameable  in  his  conduct,  as  any  age  can  pioduce.  One  distingnislied 
mark  of  a  true  presbyterian,  was  that  a  congregatiim  has  a  right  to  cboosu  its 
«iwn  minister.  But  a  party  in  the  church  was  now  heginning  to  pievail, 
of  men  who  carried  the  law  of  patronage  (o  the  utmost  rigcnir,  and  treated 
the  sentiments  of  the  people  with  sovereign  contempt. 

In  175J,  a  Ciindidate  being  presented  by  a  patron  to  a  parish  ivithinthe 
bounds  of  the  presbytery  to  which  Mr.  GiJIespie  :elonge<l,  the  inhabitantjs 
were  unwilling  to  receive  him  as  their  pastor  The  business  being  finally 
hrofight  before  the  general  assem!)ly,  they  enjoined  the  presbytery  lo  pro- 
ceed to  his  ordination.  Mr.  Gillespie  who  w.is  appointed  to  preside  on  the 
occasion,  refused  to  take  part  in  a  service  which  he  conceived  to  be  contiary 
to  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel  ;  and  several  of  his  bretiiien  (oncnrred  with 
him.  Far  from  venerating  the  pious  scruples  of  a  tender  conscience,  the 
assembly,  provoked  at  their  refusal,  inflicted  ecclesiastical  censnies  on  all ; 
but  poured  the  full  stream  of  its  venganee  on  Mr  Gdlespie's  head,  by 
deposing  him  from  the  office  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  ejecting  him 
from  his  parish.  Tins  sentence  was  pronounced,  after  solemn  prayer  t« 
God  and  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesns  Christ.  All  the  bl,(sphemi<  s  for 
twenty  years  past  have  noteqnaihd  the  piofain  uess  of  that  one  .ict  ol  the 
assembly  compo>ed  of  (lie  ministers  and  elders  ol  th^  chinch  of  Scotland. 
The  deposition  of  this  good  man  was  the  commi-ncement  of  a  systim  of 
ecclesiastical  polity,  which  with  but  little  interruption  has  continued  with 
increasing  strength  to  the  present  tini«-. 

For  Ml .  Gillespie  to  have  ceaseo  from  his  evangelical  labours,  on  account 
of  so  unrighteous  a  sentence,  would,  in  his  view  been  disloyalty  to  his 
Lord,  and  cruelty  to  thv  sonle  of  men.     He  therefore  eontiuued  to  preach 


^^-  APPENDIX.  57 

-0  liis  con<r^egation  nt  (heir  iTqnest,  !>ntnnt  in  thekirK,  aji'l  it  was  hopfj 
Ml  it  the  next  geiicral  asseniidy  would  rcstoie  him  to  his  ciiargo.  But  tlie 
applioatioii  tlii'ii  made  on  his  i)eha!r  was  without  effect ;  nor  were  repeat, 
ed  applications  alUrwards  infire  siiocp-sCii!  ;  the  same  balelni  influence 
which  deposed  him  still  continued  to  bcnr  swa^-. 

All  hnpi:'s  olhis  restoration  being  blasted,  fiis  liearers  procnred  Ibrhina  a 
place  of  worship  in  a  neighhonring  town  ;  and  he  coiitiniiod  nearly  six  y.y.irs 
to  minister  to  his  co'isieof.ition,  noi-onnected  and  alone.  Bnt  in  17.''8  he 
was  joined  by  Thoiiias  Boston  tvlio  resigned  his  charj^e  in  the  dmreh  of 
Scoiiand  :  anrl  they  united  as  liithers  ofthe  new  denomination,  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Relief.  Tliey  proiesseu  to  inaint  liii  the  principles  of  the  church 
ol  Scotland  in  their  pinity  ;  tiiey  were  wiMinn;  to  hol-i  communion  with  all 
the  good  ministers  and  fnivate  clnistiaos  in  the  establishment  ;  and  their 
avowed  design  was  to  aiiurd  reliel  to  sucli  parishes  as  had  ministers  imposed 
on  them  by  law  contrary  to  (heir  v.ii!,  and  which  did  not  wish  to  be  fetter- 
ed witii  the  chains  whi-h  th^  spcedcrs  had  forced  lor  their  adherents. 
Boston  was  as  popular  as  GilUspie  '\as  2;ood  ;  and  in  consequence  of  titcjr 
catholic  priacij>lesand  ev.vi'.iclic  i!  id  ;  :;;'!iin2;,  the  number  of  their  foMow- 
ers  increased  from  year  to  year.  Tin-:  ^vas  the«:roumI,  w!iicli  had  Mr.  Ers- 
kine  and  his  colleagues  ocenpied  in  their  secession,  would  have  conciiiatcc* 
to  them  vast  multitudes  of  tiie  members  of  the  establishment,  and  riendered 
their  labours  and  iufluence  m^-.va  extensive  and  beneficial. 

XVII.  Page  334.     The  present  state  of  the  Protestants. 

To  those  men  of  God  who  were  the  instrinrients  of  the  ReformatioQ 
from  popery  ;  and  to  the  pious  rulers,  John,  Elector  of  Saxony,  and  Ed- 
ward the  sixth  of  England,  who  promoted  the  cause  in  their  dominions 
from  the  purest  principles,  it  is  diiiicidt  tn  give  adequate  praise.  But  it 
has  not  been  sufficiently  considered  that  the  method  eniployed  by  the  a- 
postles  in  planting  cliristianity,  is  widely  different  from  that  which  was  a- 
dopted  in  most  of  the  countries  which  renounced  the  communion  ol  Rome. 
lu  the  former  case,  none  were  admitted  into  the  ohu;  :h  of  Christ,  bnt  such 
as  made  a  credible  profession  oflhtir  faith,  without  compulsion  or  restraint. 
In  the  latter,  the  change  in  most  countries  was  produced  in  great  part  by  the 
fiai  of  the  civil  authorities.  Hence  tr.ultitudes  embraced  the  new  religion, 
from  motives  which  the  Scriptures  condemn.  Many  of  the  great  and  noble 
became  Protestants  from  an  eiigerness  to  share  in  the  ample  spoils  of  the 
Romish  Chnrch,  or  to  acquire  the  fa\Viur  of  the  court,  or  to  avoid  the  evil 
consequences  of  refusing  to  couspiy  with  the  will  of  the  sovereign.  As  to 
the  mass  of  the  people,  swarms  ni  th(m  became  converts  to  tiie  new  reli- 
gion as  it  was  called,  not  Irom  choice,  but  from  necessity  and  <  onstiaint — 
from  being  compelled  to  atici'd  on  the  seivices  performed  by  the  teacher, 
whom  the  higher  powers  ihoegi  t  proper  to  constitute  their  guide  in  sacred 
things. 

In  Scotland  and  the  other  nations,  wiicre  (he  refonnation  commehced 
»vith  tiie  zealous  labours  of  holy  men  oi  God  ;  and  was  disseminated  by  the 
Siime  means  I'rom  city  to  city,  and  from  village  to  village,  without  any  co- 
operation or  countenance  oi'  the  constituted  authorities,  (here  was  a  far 
greater  nmiiber  of  Protestants  (rom  priiieiple,  as  well  as  a  higf.er  degree  of 
vital  piety.  Vet  even  tlifeie,  the  extent  was  far  more  limited  :  and  the 
(Stablishiilent  Protest.\nls — prrsons  who  from  indi/feiencc  to  divine  truth 
will  conform  to  the  dominiint  religion  of  the  eonntry  wliaterer  it  may  be — 
Were  far  more  uiumerons  than  isuencrally  sujjposcd. 

Snice  the  days  of  Dioclesian  tiie  last  great  pagan  Emperor,  and  persecij- 
tiir  of  the  Christians,  no  eveni  has  taken  place,  which  for  its  bentdcial  w- 

8 


58  APPENDIX. 

fliirnce.  can  be  compare*!  with  the  Rt'for.iiation  from  popery.  From  the 
hour  olthe  death  of  the  last  n)inister  who  was  con  vet  ted  to  the  faith  hy  the 
preachiiiKof  the  apostles  and  evangelists,  there  was  not  so  clear  a  delinra- 
tionofthe  dortrines  of  the  Gospel  by  any  of  the  ancient  fathers  ot  the 
Church,  as  h.is  been  presented  by  the  lleibrraers,  and  those  of  the  simie 
mind  who  sncceedeed  them,  is'or  were  there  in  the  same  long  space  of 
time,  privat*'  Christians  so  enlightened,  so  judicious,  or  more  dtvuted  than 
those  who  had  been  members  of  Protestant  churches.  The  Rolorni  .tion 
laid  the  fonndation  ol  a  faif  temple  to  Jehovah,  hy  the  restoration  of  the 
pure  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  :  to  bnild  on  this  fonndation  was  the  employ- 
ment of  the  following  generations.  The  Reformers,  next  in  praise  to  the 
evangelists  wha  assisted  the  twelve  in  their  labours,  alter  they  had  servid 
their  generation,  hy  the  will  ol  God,  entered  into  glory.  With  their  lile, 
the  wider  prop^igation  of  Protestant  isi;  ceased;  and  not  a  coinitry  in  h.n- 
rope,  not  a  province — nay  it  may  be  questioned  if  one  city — from  the  year 
1580  to  the  present  day.  has  been  added  to  the  Protestant  conimnnion. 
The  men  who  immediately  folloived  them,  lost  the  spirit  of  propagation  of 
their  principles  ;  and  sat  down  as  parish  ministers,  whose  labours  were  cir- 
cumscribed hy  a  certain  geogiapl.ical  line.  That  which  remained  popery 
at  that  period,  cnntinnes  popery  to  the  present  hour.  What  is  yet  more  re- 
markable—in many  pla«es  wh«  re  pait  of  the  inhabitants  of  a  district  or 
town  or  pirish  were  not  convened  from  the  old  superstition,  to  that  super- 
stition they    remain  still  wedded. 

lu  process  ol  tin\e.  what  might  naturally  be  expected  took  place.  The 
peaceful  state  of  the  chnrcli  in  different  countries,  accompanied  with  the 
emoluments  and  noronrs  of  an  establishn)ent,  drew  into  the  eceksia-ifical 
body  a  nnm«  rou*;  class  of  men  destitute  of  the  spirit  ol  their  office,  nnder 
whose  nuskilfnl  and  lukewarm  services  the  glory  of  the  Refoi motion  decay- 
ed. 

In  the  northern  part  of  Germany,  where  the  Reformation  first  lilted  the 
standard  ot  opposition  to  Rome,  the  state  of  religion  is  far  Itom  prosperous^ 
The  spnit  ol  tie  world,  and  what  tends  to  foster  it— the  spirit  ot  eiror.  of 
destruetivr  error,  has  taken  extensive  possession  of  the  colleges,  the  pid. 
pits,  and  as  a  natural  consequence,  of  the  hearts  of  the  mass  of  the  people. 
Glorious  exceptions  there  are  ol  professors  in  their  universities,  of  n!ini.'«ters, 
ai!<l  private  christians,  wh  j  continue  stedfast  in  the  faith,  and  zealous  for  the 
R'deemer's  glory;  but  alas,  they  are  toinparatively  lew.  In  the  sonti;, 
the  proportion  of  those  who  adhere  to  the  pine  principles  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, is  more  considerable  ;  and  religion  is  m  a  more  nourishing  state  ;  but 
not  equal  to  what  it  formerly  was.  Of  the  northern  kingdoms.  Denmark, 
Norway,  and  Sweden,  in  winch  the  Lutheran  system  was  established  during 
the  wonderi'ul  events  of  the  sixteenth  century  ;  a  dreadtul  insensibility  to 
vital  godliness  has  tak*  n  plaieamoi.ga  vtry  large  portion  both  of  the 
clergv  and  laity  ;  and  while  attention  is  paid  to  prescribed  forms,  the  spirit 
ofieligion  is  at  the  lowest  ebb  ;  and  while  cold  indiflerence  has  widely  tX' 
tended  its  dominion,  no  vigortxis  <  tforts  are  maknig  for  a  revival  ;  heresy 
too,  h  IS  spread  its  moitd  poison  among  lliem.  In  the  Protestant  cantons  of 
SvvUzfrland  are  to  be  lonno  many  <  minent  ministers,  and  many  zealous 
chri>tians  in  piivate  life,  who  aie  lalouring  to  promote  the  Redeemer's 
cause  ;  but  ev<ng«'hcal  piety  is  b^  no  means  diffused  so  extensively  through 
the  ma''S  of  tiie  people.  ..nd  pcih.ipsol  the  teachers  too,  as  it  was  a  century 
a^o,  Geneva,  onee  tiie  glory  of  l'rote">tantism,  and  the  seat  of  pure  leli- 
gion  has  now  lo^t  it>  pre-emuieoce  :  Cahiuis  fastened  to  the  .stake,  and 
Servetus  <;its  in  the  proh  ssoi's  «hair  ;  and  wherever  his  sentiments  are 
taught,  vital  godliness  lakes  its  Uijjht ;  the  fire  of  dcvotian  ii  extinguished  ; 


V  APPENDIX.  59 

ami  aJI  '»ccoraes  cold  and  liozeti,  like  the  fcternal  snows  oFthcir  neighbour- 
ing Alps. 

Reformed  Fnince  stripped  of  every  religions  privilpg;e,  lay  brok(nnn  the 
wheel  of  pwseciitiori  (or  a  century  and  iriore  ;  and  hesidrs  thetormfiit  of 
her  siiiiering,  the  iMJury  sustained  us  to  knowledge,  priiieiples.  and  sanctity 
cannot  he  expres<ie(i.  As  Protestant  Germany  is  divided  into  nnm«rons 
prinoipilitics,  Holland  may  he  considered  as  occupy nij;;  the  second  lank  ai 
aionis  the  reCormed  countries  of  Europe.  In  proportion  to  its  popidation, 
410  land  haspiod<ioed  a  longer  list  of  eminent  divines;  and  there  have  been 
trom  veneration  to  generation  multitudes  of  true  followers  o!  Chiist  in  pri- 
vate lii'e.  Still  many  able  and  faithful  innisters  are  iabourins:  h  le  with 
ardour  and  with  success  :  still  many  zealous  disciples  in  civil  stations  are 
adorniua;  the  doctrine  of  God  rheir  Saviour. 

The  island  of  Great  Britain  can  boast  of  a  larger  multitude  of  pf  rsons 
{)iofessinii  the  Protestant  religiou  than  any  other  country  in  Euiope.  In 
Kngiiiiid,  liom  the  era  of  the  Rcloiniation,  notwithslan<!iiig  m;iny  obstacles, 
there  was  li)i-  a  whole  centuty  a  gradual  progress  ol'  real  reli-iiou,  au.l  a 
gradual  i;;crease  of  faithful  pastois  and  [)ious  people.  Tjie  exclusion  of 
two  thousand  ministers  from  theii  piroeiiial  charges  lor  cons*  imie'  sake, 
checked  tlie  growth  of  piety  in  the  establishment  for  almost  aiiotlxr  century. 
TSiese  confessors,  and  tiiose  wlio  sueteedtil  Ihem  in  their  voluuiary  r<'ligious 
SOCK  ties,  were  the  men  who  duruig  the  greater  part  of  tliis  Littei  period, 
kept  alive  the  sacred  fire  on  l!ie  altar  of  God  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
i>le.  Since  that  time,  the  vigorous  efi'otts  of  an  increasing  bod}  of  pious 
ministers  intiie  established  church  ;  and  the  continued  exertions  of  a  more 
numerous  host  of  dissenters  and  methodi^^ts  arc  from  yeai  to  year  sjircading 
the  triumphs  of  the  cross  more  extensively  in  every  tii-trict  of  that  latul. 

Scollau  1,  which  has,  since  the  Relbrm.itiou,  sent  more  saints  to  heaven 
than  any  country  in  Europpofthe  same  population,  was  a  region  oi  storms 
both  ecclesiastical  and  civil,  lor  more  than  a  century  alter  liiat  period  ;  hut 
religion  continued  to  flourish.  M  the  restoration  it  sustained  an  injury  the 
most  severe,  and  suffered  a  persecution  more  bitter  than  woids  can  des- 
cribe, which  ceasul  not  to  increase  till  the  revolution  in  1  88.  ^'rom 
that  time  the  church  of  Scotland  enjoyed  days  of  peace  and  of  spiritual 
prosperity  :  and  when  ab.iiit  fifty  years  afterwards,  from  a  long  state  of 
ease  auil  rest,  religion  had  considerably  decayeil,  God  in  meicy  raised  up 
some  zealous  mcf ,  who.  though  they  separated  from  the  establi^|lcd  ehnrch. 
and  lormed  various  new  denominations  ;  yet  preached  the  Gospel  in  its  pu- 
rify, concerted  a  multitude  of  souls,  and  contributed  greatly  to  advance  tlie 
cause  ot  Cluist. 

Al  the  present  day  an  increasing  number  of  faithful  ministers  in  the 
chu(*h  of  Scotland  ;  and  a  multitude  of  preachers  of  different  conuiiuuioiis, 
both  presbytcnan  and  congregational,  aie  exerting  themselves  to  ext;nd 
the  boundaries  of  tlie  ■Messiah's  spiritual  kingdom  in  that  highly  favouicd 
land.  In  a  word,  through  the  whcde  of  Great  Britain  tliere  is  an  evident 
a<ivancement  in  knowledge  and  piety  Irom  year  to  year,  and  the  pro%pccts 
for  the  time  to  come  arc  tnispeakably  plt-asing. 

Besides  these  Protestant  nations  in  Eiuope,  there  is  one  in  another  quar- 
tei  of  the  worhl,  and  Imt  one,  which  protesses  tiie  same  faith.  Hear  and 
innurn  :  in  Asia,  that  immense  world  of  souls  :  in  Africa's  widely  and  far 
extended  surface  there  are  naiie  ;  and  in  America,  which  stretches  itj^elf 
almost  from  pole  to  pole,  there  is  but  one  Prutestant  n.aion  !  Of  more 
than  seven  hundred  millions  of  thcbumau  race  which  those  tltiee  q;i;^ri(rs 
ot  {iie  globe  coiitam,  ssaicii  for  tite  P;c(tstaot  cnmnuinities  th;  re  ;  and 
»yll'i!i  you  have  travf  lied  through  every  region  aiid  eli'n  U«,  it  will  he  I'nuiid 
tlidt  there  is  but  one  nation  rising  abave  the  puny  iiionoer  of  a  indii.ja  of 


jieople,  H-hfTP  the  relbiixifd  n  li^i'-n  cnn  \ic.  callod  [he  rciiz'irm  at  tiic 
coiiiitiv.  Tliis  oiip  social  hady  is  l!u'  NoiMi  Arm  ricaii  [l<»pn!iii!-.  At  Uio 
lime  of  the  Rerormatioii,  iJiilo  [lugnns  only  wfie  lliiiily  scatlcrp*!  over  tlui 
imtniiise  foiesls  :  iio>v.,  a  ii,>lii*ti  nhwnsl  erpial  to  Britiiiii  in  |"^ipiilat!(in. 
dvvflK  theio, — iiidiviae  kiiowit-dire  and  imlri^'tp.!  [liptv  siot  inieitor  ;  and 
inoviii?,  lorvvatd  willi  a  rapid  pio;:i(ss  (a  jiiipcrior ily.  To  llu";e  itjiioiis  ot 
Piolcstantisin,  add  tlin  c()lolli^^■;  Ibrintd  l»y  its  votarif?  in  Aiiu'iica,  Atiii-a. 
aiiil  Avia  ;  and  ihe  missionaries  s»Mit  out  I»y  Hum  to  brin«:  (lie  hcalheH  and 
i;nent!;;hteued  nations  ol' the  worUllo  the  obriJienco  ot  Christ. 

XIX.  P.ige  3U.     Calvin  and Socinxd. rnnlrasUd, 

I\o  pvont  roiijoinpd  wilhliip  Rcibimation  lias  rnii>isfied  so  many  mate- 
ri.iis  I'or  oaiiiiniiy,  as  C,i!v:m"s  nuiiUflion  »vil!i  (Iw  d»iai.'«  ol  Spivetiis.  Ar- 
Sdiniuisand  Hunniniiai  i.ms  tiavu  coiuhined  to  a!i;i!ii«'nt  the  J^snoininy,  imhIp'.- 
which  they  li;;v(?  Iiopcil  i.o  i)i!!y  that  s|)lfn(iid  Ilctbrnin's  sor\"Jfes  and  ii-li.l, 
Jigentf.  B  It  thpy  Jia\e  not  hreu_jiisl  and  i<iip'rti;il  in  their  cMJSiiies.  Ad- 
mit that  Calvin  was  anU-pvanu;tdi<-al  in  his  sanction  ol"  lint  rbsuid  mode  to 
convpit  an  iufuit!  i)lasplt<'mpr,  »«.is  S(iciniisiiiore  philarithropic  ? 

Snciniis  most  inconsistpnliy  hut  sdpnnonsly  (icfpndrd  (lie  religions  w.nr. 
sliip  <d' onr  Lord  .Itsns  Christ;  (hii  piartite  Fianr-is  Davides  the  Hn- 
inanitarian  snpeiintendaiit  opposrd,  as  nieie  icioia'.ry.  The  eonlroversy 
rajPiJ  with  so  n)nt'h  apn;nony,  that  thp  i^rincc  oT  Transylvania  imphsBHtd 
J)uvidcs,  vvlicie    throii;ih  ihe  ris:oiir  of  ids  snfiei  ing;s,  Ik;  (lied. 

Tiiis  act  ol"  perserntiui)  is  jjasscd  ovkr  silently  hy  those  who  keep  Jip  a 
fonslant  dealening  onlcry  ajiainsl  the  stnirdf  lonsC  ilvio,  for  his  conduct  to- 
v.ani''  Servetns.  il'it  t)e  allcfjed  Ih.tt  Sneiniis  leit  Uavides  (o  the  civil  pow. 
»;r,  the  same  excuse  may  he  made  I'o''  Calviu.  When  it  is  asscited  that 
this  Rel'oiiner  ruled  in  Geneva,  so  that  the  acts  ol  t'le  fiovcniment  wtvo  hiv 
own,  it  may  he  replied.  Ihat  the  icovernnuiit  once  baidshed  Calvin  himself, 
who  declarer,  before  Servctus  came  to  Geneva,  that  \t  woiihl  not  be  in  his 
power  to  save  him  ;  so  that  his  inlhicnce  was  little  more  than  that  of  the 
Socjuians  in  Trausylvaiii  i.  wiio  had  acquired  sneh  an  ascenriaitcy  that  (he 
man  whom  they  persrciited  was  sent  to  die  in  a  ja:l.  Calvin  laboured  to 
dissuade  a  straii'j^er,  who  was  viewed  willi  horror,  irom  coming  to  a  place 
where  the  law«,  which  had  been  enacted  lon^  hclbre  by  the  eniperor,  wnidd 
consign  him  to  the  flames  ;  but  the  Socinians  saw  their  brothti',  the  super- 
inteudaiit  oi  their  churrlios.  hi'irled  (Voui  his  honours  to  a  dimstjon,  and 
what  efliirls  did  they  make  ti  save  him  ?  The  <l('atb  ofServetns.  which 
Has  cruel  indeed,  was  inllicted  lor  what  all  the  ll(  !(.rniers,  as  wf  II  as  Cab  in, 
deemed  damnable  heresies,  worthy  ol"  <lealh,  (lie  hia.-j.heniy  of  (U  grading 
the  iiicarnate  God  to  an  oidiiiary  man,  his  death  to  incre  man>  rdom,  and  his 
xyorship  to  idof dry.  But  the  Socit)ians  who  are  supposed  to  outstrip  all  o- 
ihersin  liberal  principles,  hunted  Davides  to  prison  Irnm  po.'itieal  motives,- 
lest  the  odium  under  whicii  they  labourr-d  should  be  ao;^inenl' d.  Soeinus 
publicly  stigmatized  the  adherents  of  Davides  as  srini-jows,  and  ur;;pd  tli« 
imlbrtwnate  man  to  renounce  his  error  ;  but  privately  he  aeknowlnttced 
that  it  was  a  mere  nothing,  nay  no  error  at  all,  but  a  proof  of  stron;.',er  taiUt ; 
so  that  Davides  was  made  a  sacrifice  not  to  honest  bigotry,  but  to  Miere  fi- 
nesse. The  a<ia;ravaled  guilt  of  Soriiuis  is,  indeed,  no  exccse  lor  that  of- 
Calvin  ;  but  it  may  suffice  to  txjiose  the  conduct  of  his  followers,  who  ad- 
duce ihecriiJie  of  the  latter,  as  a  proof  of  the  hhukness  of  his  character  and 
nf  the  inlolerimt  {ejidenev  dlhis  cioetrines. 


APPENBIX.  6i 

XX,  Page  a.W.     The  Baptismal  Controvtrsi). 

Tiu:  dot^rna  ot'ilo^o  coiiimnnion,  louod^^d  upon  the  premisfs,  that  104- 
inersioii  oniy  is  Lupu-ii),  aiul  (hat  adults  are  the  only  proper  siibjcfts  of  the 
ordinaiit-e,  isso  abiioi  rent  nits  inKivoidal)le  iniVicnae.  the  exteimination  of 
all  the  dt  iiomitiatioiis  of  christians  tiiat  are  now,  or  ever  liave  existed,  ex- 
cept the  tiaptists ;  lh.it  it  is  woitisy  of  iuquiry  whether  such  an  outrageous 
prosi  riptiun  can  possibly  be  verified  ? 

It  is  a  curious  but  undeniable  fact,  that  the  first  ippearance  of  a  Baptist 
fphristi.'.n  cdinniunity  Mas  in  the  sixteenth  century,  alter  thecoinineneeiiieiit 
of  the  Reformation.  *  If  there  be  any  ti'uth  in  hi-itory,  the  Baptist^'  opin- 
ions are  »vhoiiy  modenj,  and  uukjo.rn  to  antiquity.'  •  it  is  said  that 
ainons  the  Waldeuscs  there  were  some  Baptists  ;  but  the  first  notice  of 
them  as  a  distinct  comuiuuity,  is  about  the  time  of  the  Reionualion  by  Lu- 
ther.' 

'  No  less  than  ninety  different  beresies  are  .said  to  have  sprung  up  in  'he 
thiee  first  centuries.  Irenieus,  Phiiastrius,  Austin,  and  Tiieodortt,  wroJc 
catalog nes  of  the  several  sects  of  ciiristi.uis  they  had  heard  of  ;  but  none  of 
Iheiti  mention  any  that  denied  infant  baptism,  excipt  tiiose  whodenieu  ail 
bapiisni."  Here  we  Imve  a  very  curious  :act — the  .irst  lise  of  a  baptist 
eounuunity — iu  the  sixtttnih  century,  after  the  (ommeuceoient  of  Luther's 
{lefoiiiiatioii. 

Hfiw  is  it  possible  to  account  for  this  remarkable  circumstance  ?  It  is 
replied,  that  the  system  nj' the  Jnti  p^do-bapists  is  not  supported  by  even 
one  text  of  scripture,  one  patter?},  one  precedent,  or  one  example  in  the 
word  oj  God. 

Iftfcis  be  evident  there  will  be  nothing  very  surprising— that  there  should 
be  a  lapse  of  more  than  fifteen  centuries  of  the  christian  era,  before  a  single 
baptist  cnajrauii:ty  made  its  appearance  i-;  the  world.  For  who  can  woi, der 
tor  a  moment  at  the  very  late  cammencemLUt  of  a  community  ivhich  has  not 
4a  scripture,  either  precept,  pattern,  precedent,  or  example  to  rest  upon  ? 

There  is  no  example  in  scripture  in  favour  of  tlie  baptists. 

Whenever  an  example  is  to  support  a  prufice,  it  is  indispensably  necessa- 
ry that  the  example  and  the  practice  should  both  be  of  one  and  (he  same 
kind.  For  if  the  example  be  of  one  kind, and  the  practice  of  another  kind, 
—the  practice  is  not  founded  upon  the  example — nor  does  the  exau'ple 
give  any  support  to  the  practice.  One  kind  ol  example  can  never  support 
anoliier  kind  of  practice  ;  for  it  is  no  example  to  the  practice,  such  an 
exunpleaod  such  a  practice  bein";  two  tluiijrt  nt  and  distinct  things.  So 
when  things  are  thus  circumstanced,  that  the  practice  does  not  a^ree  »-ith 
the  example,  the  praftice.  in  this  case,  has  no  example  at  all ;  but  is  purely 
a  prai't.ce  vyithout  an  example.  And  this  is  precisely  the  co!,f;it ou  of  the 
Baptists  at  this  motjiei.t — they  have  ruJlher  preccLiem  lior  ex.unple  lor 
their  practice  in  any  part  of  scripture. 

li  is  evident  from  scripture,  that  all  the  adults,  whose  baptism  we  read 
of,  were  the  tiisto!  iiteir  families  who  embraced  the.  chrisiian  reijoien.  But 
^hat  is  the  pradice  oi  the  Baptists? — Thty  baptize  all  id.ilts  promi.scti- 
ously,  whether  descended  liom  chiisliati  parents,  or  Heatiiens,  or  Jews. 
But  scriprure  r xampl.'S  only  s.o  to  tiie  latter  cases,  lle.ithcns  and  Jews  ; 
uoris  there  any  example  wiiatever  for  the  formtr,  the  descendcnts  of  chris- 
tian parents  :  con.sequenllj  it  appears  tiiat  the  baptists  iollow  no  example 
at  all,  and  their  practice,  in  relation  to  scripture,  is  completely  without 
precedeut. 

All  the  examples  of  scripture  are  in  favour  of  those  called  Pedo-baptists 
What  adiits  do  these  baptise? — Surely  none  but  lieatheus  ;inl  Jews,  aud 
such  as  have  not  beeu  before  baptised.     I'liis  the  pedo-baptibls  do,  aud  the 


()2  APPENDIX. 

apostles  did  no  more.  Herein  we  liave  the  necessary  asreement  between 
Uio  example  and  the  pructice — they  are  Itolh  otone  ami  the  same  kiud. 
Not  as  in  the  case  of  the  h;iptisls.  in  ivliich  th(  re  is  no  coirespnndence  l)r- 
twcen  the  example  and  the  practice.  In  Mieir  case  they  entirely  «!iffer  : 
the  example  is  this — and  the  practice  is  that — and  there  is  not  the  least 
agreement  between  the  two. 

What  shall  we  siy  to  the  b.tptisms  of  household's  ? — Do  not  these  look 
with  a  lavomahle  aspect  upon  Peilol);iptists  ?  Wliat  has  been  just  said  has 
very  nearly  put  llie  Bapti-ts  and  their  system  out  ol  the  bible.  We  shall 
now  proceed  to  throw  them  entiiely  out.  Froiu  the  examples  we  go  to 
the  word  and  precepts  ol'  Scriptnre. 

How  are  persons  to  be  baptized  ? — By  immersion  only,  say  the  B-ip- 
ti<ts  :  notliing  is  baptism,  but  in)mur>ion  only.  Now  no  passage  in  any 
l>art  ol'  scripliue  will  prove  this.  1.  Cm  it  be  proveil  that  the  word 
Baptism  itself  means  immersion  only  ?  This  is  utterly  impossible  ;  nay, 
Ihi'  contrary  is  true,  that  it  Joes  not  mean  immersion  only.  2.  Can  it  be 
proved  thit  any  one  person,  whose  bapti-^m  we  read  of  in  the  scripture 
was  immersed? — It  cannot  possibly  he  proved.  3.  Can  it  be  proved,  tliat 
any  one,  said  t  o  have  been  baptized,  was  at  all  -so  much  as  in  the  water  ? 
No  man  in  the  world  can  prove  it. 

1.  Can  it  be  proved  that  baptism  is  immersion  only  ?  Who  can  provp, 
that  the  terra  baptism  means  innnerslon,  and  nothing  else  but  immersion  ? 
Could  Dr.  Gale  do  this  ?  He  was  able  to  Jiave  done  it  if  any  one  could  ; — 
but  he  proved  the  contrary,  and  so  oveithrew  himself;  for  meeting  with  a 
passage  in  Aristotle,  in  wliich  the  thing  baptized  was  not  put  inti>  the  water, 
but  the  water  came  upon  it,  he  said  'the  woi(.\  Baptiae,  perhaps,  does  not 
so  necessarily  express  ihe  action  of  putting  under  water,  as  in  general  a 
thing  being  in  that  condition,  no  m.itttr  how  it  came  so.' — Aoother  [>a.s- 
sage  came  in  his  way  in  which  the  thing  baptized  was  oidy  partially  «et  : 
his  assertion  was,  •  That  the  ivord  does  not  always  necessarily  in)ply  a  total 
immersion  of  the  thing  spoken  of,  all  over.'  Tliese  tvvo|.things  put  together 
amount  to  this  .  that  a  thing  is  baptized  if  the  element  come  upon  it  ;  and 
if  it  come  only  on  one  part  it  is  bapti/.id.  Dr.  Wall  laid  hold  of  this  ;  and 
shewed  to  the  world,  that  while  Dr.  Gale  contended  lur  inunersion  only, 
lie  held  fast  the  mere  word  but  completely  lo^t  the  thing.  If  baptism 
meant  immeision  only,  tliere  could  be  no  diflVrent  or  ditfeiing  baptisms  ; 
but  there  are  diffiTin^  baptisms,  so  not  immersion  only.  In  Hebrews  9  :  JO. 
the  apostle  speaking  ot  the  ablutions  among  the  Jews,  calls  them  divers 
washings.  The  true  n»eaning  of  the;  tii  '-t  word  is  differing  or  different.  — 
Rom.  12  :  6.  Tliiis  it  i«,  •  baptisms  diirerini,'  or  didereut  ;  aud  this 
directly  overturns  the  sentiments  (,f /he  Baptists,  who  contend  that  bapli>m 
is  immersion  only.  Had  Origen  thought  as  the  Baptists  do,  he  would  not 
have  said,  'that  when  Elijah  orfiered  water  to  be  poured  on  the  woi.o,  tiie 
wood  was  baptized.'  Ncr  wouM  the  seventy  translators  have  sai«l.  that 
Nebuchadnezzar  was  baptized. —wmcli  they  do,  when  he  was  wet  *uth  the 
dew  of  heavtn.  Much  less  woiiid  the  scripture  have  called  ihe  pouring 
out  of  the  Holy  Ghost  Baptism.  Nor  can  it  be  proved  lli.it  the  wor«l  fiap- 
tism,  in  the  New  Testament  does  ever  mean  imvursion,  we  will  noi  s;iy 
oith/,  but  a(  all;  and  if  not  immersion  only,  the  baptist  principl-    is  lost. 

2.  Can  it  be  proved  that  any  one  person  in  the  New  Testament  was 
immersed  ?  There  are  .seven  instances  of  b.tptisms.  which  have  some  con- 
nection with  place  and  circumstances  :— The  b.iptism  of  Jesus  at  Jordan — 
the  baptizing  at  Eiion — the  baptism  of  the  eunuch — of  Saul—  of  Cor- 
nelius— of  the  jailor — and  the  ihrre  thousand  in  Jc^rus^lera.  Oi  lliesc 
instances,  three  were  in  the  open  air,  and  at  streams  of  water,  two  in  pri- 
vate houses,  one  in  a  jad,  .-ind  one  iu  a  city.     If  we  look  i'ov  proof  for  tin* 


AFPKKDJX.  63 

•fmmei'siou  of  any  one,  it  must  be  from  tl)p  fiist  three  instances  ;  b;it  Iiere 
is  no  proof  at  all  liiat  any  one  was  innmersf  d.  It  is  true,  luie  were  per- 
sons, anil  there  tvas  water  ;  but  whether  any  person  was  immersed  in  the 
water,  there  is  not  a  word  said.  All  that  can  be  said,  and  all  that  the 
most  saii^niiie  can  say,  world  be  this,  •  It  may  be, — it  is  likel\ — it  is 
highly  probable — I  am  apt  to  think  so,'  Such  forms  of  speech  she»V  there 
is  no  proof;  and  that  the  best  is  men  ly  presumption  {  bnt  if  we  attend  to 
the  other  instances,  the  private  bou'^es,  the  jail,  and  the  city,  there  is 
neither  proof  nor  presnmption  ;  or,  iftheie  be  any  presnaiption  upon  the 
case,  it  is  entirely  on  the  otiier  side,  tliat  i*,  that  there  was  no  innnersiflo 
practiced;  and  the  snm  of  ail  is  this,  that  in  the  first  instances  (here  is  not 
t\:e  least  proof  :  and  that  in  the  others,  there  is  not  the  least  presumpdon. 
3.  Can  it  be  proved  that  any  [lerson  baptized  was  so  much  as  in  the 
water  at  all?  The  putting  of  this  qaestion  may  appear  singidar  to  some, 
who  won!d  be  rcctdy  to  say — Can  any  thing  be  more  evideiit  tlian  this? — 
Did  not  our  Lord  come  up  out  of  .lordan  ?  Did  not  Philip  and  the  eisnuch 
go  down  into,  and  come  up  out  of  the  water  ?  The  truth  is,  that  wheth- 
er tliey  went  into  ?,tlie  water  or  not,  depends  uprn  three  small  words; 
them,  two  are  used  in  the  New  Testament  ahnndred  times,  to  signify /rom  ; 
and  the  first  as  often  to  signify  to  ;  and  they  nece'sarily  signify  no  more 
than  to  the  water  a.v.djr'im  the  .vater  ;  so  there  is  no  proof  that  any  one 
person  baptized  was  in  the  water  at  all. 

But  possibly  some  Baptist  may  say,  that  the  Apostle  tells  us  in  Romans 
6:4.'  We  are  buried  with  him  by  bap(i>m.'  Tine,  '  Ay. baptism'— baptisna 
may  be  the  means  of  our  burial  with  C'b'ist,  whatever  may  be  the  jTorm 
ofit-  Belbrt  any  conclusion  can  be  drawn  from  this  text,  three  things 
must  be  adjusted. — 1.  Does  the  apostle  speak  of  Ihe  baptism  of  the  Spirit, 
or  of  water  baptism  ?  The  probaliility  i>,  from  the  context,  that  he 
actually  speaks  of  the  baptism  (f  the  ^|)ir!t;— and  if  so,  the  Baptist 
inference  is  at  an  end  :  for  the  mode  ot  this  bapii>m  was  pouring.  2.  But 
suppose  the  apostle  to  speak  of  water  baptism  ;  does  he  allude  to  any 
n  ode  of  administration  ?  Il  is  probabif  lie  luid  no  allusion  to  any  mode  at 
all.  Wlien  he  says  •  baptized  into  Chi  i^t  '  or  '  baptized  into  his  death,' 
he  docs  not  Mem  to  allu<le  to  any  mode.  But  3,  Suppose  he  docs  al- 
bide  to  some  mode  ;  what  mode  does  he  allude  to  ?  If  there  be  an  allu- 
sion to  any  thing  in  burial,  it  may  be  either  to  the  putting  of  the  body 
into  the  earli!  or  toth*^  tl  rowing  of  tht  earth  upon  the  body  ;  which  would 
resemble  sr;6usion.  If  all  these  queries  cannot  be  adjusted,  and  their  ad. 
justment  is  perlectly  precarious,  the  inference  of  the  Baptists  from  this  pas- 
sage is  lost. 

There  i>i  no  passage  in  all  the  scriptures  to  evince  immersion  only,  or  to 
prove  any  immersion  at  all  or  that  any  one  of  the  baptized  did  so  much  as 
go  into  the  water.  And  now  there  remain'^  but  one  thing  more  to  demos, trate 
tliat  the  baptists  have  not  a  passage,  precept,  precedent,  or  example,  in 
all  scripture  to  support  their  system. 

The  I3aptist«i  deny  infant  baptism — But  have  they  any  thing  in  scripture 
for  this  ?~Not  one  pa«sage  :  bnt  they  deny  it  by  inference.  If  the 
inference  b*'  good,  it  is  Mifficient.  Of  what  kind  is  the  inference,  and  from 
wiiat  iv  itdr.iwn?  A  Baptist  will  tell  us,  that  the  scriptures  requira  faith 
int  l.ose  win.  are  to  be  baptized  ;  as  in  this  *'  If  thou  believest,  thou  may  est." 
So  likewise  ie  other  passages.  Infants,  they  say,  cannot  belieVe,  therefore 
thfv  are  not  to  be  baptised.  This  is  their  infeienee — bnt  a  single  remark 
will  coinphttly  destroy  it.  It  is  the  manner  ol  Scripture,  when  any  thing 
■is  enjoined  a<  .i  me  'n  to  ;in  end,  it  is  enjoined  upon  tliose  subjects  only  wfo 
arenatnr^Mv  c-iK-t;'^  o^t  ;  bnt  those  subjects  who  are  naturally  incapable 
•Itlie  mtan,  may,  notwitbstantlinj,  have  n-rig'ut  tn  the  end.     For  e.varaple  ; 


64  APPENDIX. 

"  He  that  bpJievetli  shall  bo  saved  "  The  mean,  hplirveth.  i<  in  oiyIcp  In 
the  end,  saved.  Now,  aecording  to  the  above  remirk.  infants  who  are 
incapable  of  the  mein,  may  yet  enjoy  the  c?u/;  they  may  he  saved.  Cut 
aecnnlin^;  to  the  iuference  of  the  Baptists,  infants  must  all  I)e  lost.  So  in 
anotiier  instance, — •  If  any  will  not  work,  neither  shall  iie  rat.'  But  tf 
infants  cannot  work,  which  is  the  meat  ;  yot  liiey  may  eat.  whit!)  is  the 
end.  But  upon  the  Baptists'  primipie.  it  does  not  follow  tliat  they  should 
eaf—brtaiise  they  have  no  will  to  ivark  i—so  all  infants  may  as  well  be 
kept  from  meat  as  from  baptism.  As  this  int«  rence  is  as  bail  as  any  infer- 
ence can  he.  and  as  they  have  uothing  better  ;o  bring,  they  are  ia  fact  com- 
pletely out  of  the  Bible. 

In  tills  way  we  account  for  this  singnlar  historical  document,  that  the 
Baptists  never  existed  as  a  community  till  the  sixteenth  century.  Ami  we 
presume  that  no  better  reason  can  be  given  for  ti.e  very  recent  existence 
of  the  Baptist*  as  a  body,  than  by  shewins;  that  they  liave  neilher  text, 
precept,  precedent,  or  example  in  any  part  of  scripture  to  support  their 
exclusive  system. 

XXI.  Page  3.';4.     The  vn'orokcn  svccession. 

If  any  person  wishes  to  understand  this  subject,  he  is  referred  to  the 
standards  ol'tlit  Episcopal  church  of  England;  Ww  h'nililjjfor  Whitsunday, 
Part  II.  ;  to  Is.iac's  ecclesiastical  claims  investigated  ;  and  to  Bristcd's 
tlioug;lits  on  the  Ang''icaa  and  \meiican- Anglo  chinihev.  A  Hieraich 
pleading  for  the  divine  riijht  of  EpiNCopacy  by  the  rej[nlar  descent  from 
Peter  ;  and  a  stiflf  Baptivt  boasting  of  the  unbroken  succession  of  dipping 
from  John  the  Lord's  forerunner,  constitute  the  mo^t  wonderinl  anomaly 
in  principle,  and  the  most  peiicct  identity  in  argument,  in  the  theological 
\vorld. 

XXII.  Page  364.     The  Independents. 

Because  many  of  the  Congregalionalists  in  this  Union,  have  lately 
diverged  from  evangeli  al  truth;  persons  south  of  NewF,n»land  generally 
believe,  tiiat  Ihs  English  Dissenters  a.ie  heterodoxical  in  their  theologi- 
cal sentiments;  and  bt  cause  some  names  are  ol  so  much  impoitanc*  iii 
the  scale  of  religious  controversy,  especially  upon  the  questions  of  ecclesi- 
astical government  and  dis«-ipline,  others  carefully  conceal  the  fact,  that 
they  were  the  most  decided  opponents  oi'  all  assimiptions  derogatory  to 
the  undivid*-d  supremacy  of  Jesus  Christ  as  Head  of  the  church.  Tiiis  is 
not  only  disrespectlnl,  but  injiu  ious  to  their  memory  ;  for  nearly  all  out- 
most popidar  reli!i'<'iis  writers  are  the  Put  itans  or  their  successors,  the  In- 
pendiMits  and  Baptists  ;  Owen,  Baxter,  Bat.  s,  Howe,  Flavel,  Manton^ 
Calamy,  Charnock.  Henry.  F.cbvartls,  Keadi,  Doddridge,  Wafts,  .Ridgley, 
Gill,  Stennett,  Harmi  r.  Booth.  Williams.  Buck,  Kidler,  Biudrr,  Jay, 
Collyer,  Foster  an  I  IJoiut; ;  with  a  multitude  of  others  who  will  continue 
to  cilify  mankind  is  long  .  sthe  Englivh  lauguaje  shall  be  understood  by  tile 
inhabitants  of  oim-  -IoIm-. 

To  them,  uinler  the  Holy  Ghost,  we  are  deeply  iiulebfed  for  the  most 
sublime  knowledge ;  and  iheic  (\.rf.  let  honour  be  apj)ropriated  to  the 
memories  of  the  pioneers  »«ho  have  opened  the  road  to  civil  and  religious 
iVeedom  for  all  the  tribes  of  A<lam.  For  it  is  manifest ;  thai  the  moderns 
who  adopt  the  Congregational  form  of  government  in  the  church  of  Christ, 
are  the  most  assimilated  upon  this  particular  topic  to  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians ;  and  it  is  a  memorable  fact  demonstrated  by  the  nh\arying  course 
of  ecclesiastical  history,  that  the  prosperity  of  the  spiritual  kingdom  of 


4* 


APPENDIX.  6S 

tlie  Redeemer  Jia?  he«n  csacUv  cojnmensiirate  with  the  predanainancp  and 
exteiisiou  ofthe  i'mKlamental  Joctrines  ol'the  Piiritms.  This  result  however 
miglit  iiattiraily  l>e  aiiticiiJated  ;  when  we  remember,  that  it  was  late  iii 
the  secoi>;i  ceatiiry,  belore  ecf.!esi;istic.ii  coiiiiciis,  which  bodif^s  ji.ive  [ireii 
the  sraiul  corrii;)tion  of  Christi;iiiity,  were  assembled;  It  is  true,  that 
the  I'ope  and  liis  adherents  by  dittortiog  plain  epithets,  contend  t!iat  the 
meeting al  Jerusalem  recorded  in  A<!ts  15  ;  was  thejirst  Christian  Council; 
t)nt  that  council  ivas  only  the  christians  of  Jerus.ilmn,  vvith  some  (ravelling 
brethren  *•  come  together  i/t  the  chuich  ;  lor  the  chnrches  in  llmse 
ancient  times,  were  entirely  independent  ;  none  of  them  subject  to  any 
foreign  jurisdiction,  but  each  one  governed  by  its  own  rulers  an  i  its 
own  laws.  For  though  the  chnrciies  founded  by  the  apostles,  had  t  lis 
particular  deference  shown  them,  that  they  were  consnit'd  in  diffi- 
cult and  doubtful  cases  ;  yet  they  had  no  juridical  authority,  no  sort 
of  supremacy  over  tlte  others,  nor  the  least  right  to  enact  laws  for  thp:ii. 
IVotbin;  on  the  contrary,  is  moie  evid'iit  than  the  perfect  equalit^  that 
reigned  among  tlie  piiniitive  churches  ;  nor  does  there  even  appear,  in  this* 
first  century,  the  smallest  trace  of  that  associasion  of  provincial  churches, 
from  which  councils  and  metropolitans  derive  their  origin." 

XXIII.  Page  391.     Tbe modern  denominations. 

It  was  not  deemed  necessary  to  introduce  at  large,  the  history  ofthe  pro- 
gress ofthe  Methodists  ;  excep'.  in  a  ^cw  instances,  thev  have  enjojed  all  the 
pririleges  of  toleration,  and  their  anuals  are  ciiiefly  the  catalogues  ot  their 
increase  in  ministers,  societies  and  aiembers.  Besides  the  subject  is  so 
generally  understood,  as  to  render  a  more  minute  detail  not  requisite. 

C3^  The  following  note  must  be  nibjnined  to  the  remarks  on  Pages  348 
and  349. 

From  the  statement  of  the^wc  poinds  of  controversy,  between  the  Synod 
ofDort  and  the  Arminians  ;  it  might  be  inferred,  that  Mr.  Wesley,  Mr. 
Fletcher,  and  their  followers,  admitted  all  tbe  dogmas  which  had  been  cnu« 
merated,  in  the  same  sense,  with  the  primitive  Ueraonstranls.  This  was 
not  intended  ;  but  as  the  passage  in  its  present  arrangement  is  liable  to  mis- 
construction, it  ranst  be  observed,  that  whatever  may  be  the  sentiments 
of  individuals,  or  however  irreconcilable  their  avower  opinion!)  -^re.  in 
the  judgment  of  a  controrerti.t.  thedoctiine,  that  mankind  by  nature  are 
totally  and  universally  depraved,  and  therefore  guilty  in  consequence  of 
Adam's  transgression,  is  the  auti)orized  creed  of  the  modern  methodisfs  ; 
who  on  the  third  point,  page  347.  substantially  coincide  w  ith  tie  Calvii'ists. 

An  omission  occurs  respecting  the  Methodist  Missionary  Society,  wliich 
it  is  proper  to  supply-  The  following  sentence  slsould  be  in-erted,  a  ter 
*'zeal"  page  420.  Their  energies  have  hitherto  been  confined  to  :he 
uewly  settled  portions  of  this  ITnion,  with  the  exception  of  a  Missionary 
to  the  Floridas,  another  to  the  Wyandott  Indians,  and  a  station  among  the 
Creeks,  ou  the  Chatahoochee  ;  they  publish  the  Methodist  Magazine. 

90- Jn  aiilional  re7nark,  should  be  inserted  on  page  406,  immediately 
after  is  dissolved. 

This  general  statement  admits  of  exceptions,  because  in  Connecticut 
and  other  parts  of  New  England,  the  Congregationalist.s,  have  not  only 
Associations  of  Ministers  ;  but  also  Consociation$  of  Churches,  which 
assemble    at  stated  periods,    and    are  composed  of  tbe  Minister  and  a 

9 


^'^'\ 


66  APPi:.vDix. 

D  1  "gate  appointed  hy  rac!)  rlmrcli.  Ntiliirr  of  tlirsp  bodies  olaiin  or 
«-x»  liise  any  jiiiisdii  i.ioi'  ii\«  r  Hm  srpaiato  fO!:gr«£:iitiKiis,  and  in  r.isrs 
ordiHiciilly  are  meic!-.  ccnmciis  of  advice  ;  thr  opand  distiiirtioi).l)rttveei) 
thnti  coii«l>ts  in  tin  ir  i.hjerts  ;  the  Aasnciatvjns  are  designed  to  pioinote 
nnity,  affection  and  ei»  opeivtinn  among  tlie  iitinisters,  the  others,  in  ad- 
diliiiM  t«i  thiseffe!,  ;irc  IhIimmIc  «1  to  peipotnat*'  tiie  pinity,  the  eeirinmniou 
and  the  prospeiity  oliiic  Ch:i>ti.u!  s  .creties   vvhitb  are  tiuis  comociated. 

f^  7Vje  fj's;;??!,?  pi'ra,:;ra]  h  ivai  undesignedly  omitted  ;  it  should  have 
bcm  inserted.  Page  413,  prior  (o  the  article   Typographical. 

Col!es;rs  constit\itc  a  very  important  department  of  the  means  organized 
toperpj'tnate  knowled-re  .  but  the  prosperity  ol  one  division  of  these  supe- 
rior institntions.  is  il;(li^sohll!ly  eo»ne«te<i  uith  tlie  (Xtension  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom  ;  the  seniinarien  for  theological  studies.  The  miiversitirs 
and  eolleo;<  s  wljere  all  tl'e  sciences  are  incorporated  in  the  course,  are 
not  hereby  intendi'd  ;  but  those  only  uhich  are  exchisiveiy  devoted  to  the 
pieparation  of  students  for  the  more  piil)lir  exercises  of  Ihegospchniuistry. 
'J'he  aca<letnies  which  are  coiiNe<iated  to  this  pecniiar  object,  arose  subse- 
•pieiit  to  the  Reformatioo  ;  and  it  is  suppose<l.  that  they  originated  among 
the  English  Noncouiorinists  ;  whe  being  by  law  excluded  from  all  the 
literary  advantacjes,  nhieh  flo»ved  from  the  universities  of  Oxford  and 
Camhridue,  established  them  with  the  express  design,  to  introduce  junior 
Chri^tians  to  a  competent  acquaintance  with  revealed  theolop:y.  Many  of 
tlie.se  seminaries  are  in  the  most  flourishing  state,  and  are  emphatically  the 
light  of  the  world. 

The  Secession  in  Scotland  established  two  academies  ;  and  the  Scotch 
Congregalionalists  have  lately  organized  a  very  superior  seminary  for  the 
study  ofdivinity.  In  En;;land,  the.  Independents  support  six  large  institu- 
tions of  this  diameter  ;  the  Baptists  maintain  three  academical  societies; 
and  the  Calvinistic  Methodists,  one  collegiate  course  of  iustrnction.  ht 
Wales,  those  tliiee  th  uominatinns  also  possess  seminaries.  But  three 
institutions  among:  the  Eurctpean  Christians  are  entirely  modern  :  the 
College  at  Go'>po:  i,  organized  by  the  dissenters,  to  prepare  and  qualify 
IHissionaiies  lor  the  Heathen  nations  ;  an  establishment  of  a  similar  char- 
acter, under  the  patronano  of  the  Chinch  Missionary  Society  ;  and  a  very 
piosperous  academy  in  l>ublin,  expressly  founded  to  eapacitate  the  students 
ior  the  arduous  (inployment  of  (iisseminnting  the  light  and  the  truth  among 
the  wretched  and  Inniglited  papists  of  tliut  island.  Seminaries  ol  the  same 
character  have  also  very  lately  commenced  their  operations  on  the  Euro- 
peffn  continent. 

In  the  United  States,  besides  the  partial  attention  which  is  devoted  t© 
divinity  in  tiie  general  colleges  ;  several  institutions  are  designated  solely 
lor  theological  students.  The  congreg^tionalisls  hafe  endowed  a  very 
extensive  college  at  Aiidover  ;  the  Dutch  Retormed  initiate  youth  into  the 
service"  of  th<!  ciinrclJ,  at  Brunswick;  the  Presbyterians  have  fouudKl  a 
large  seminary  at  Princeton  ;  the  Ba[)tists  have  provided  for  a  theological 
depHitmeul  in  Coluudua  ;  and  the  Episcopalians  have  also  recently  oiga- 
nlzed  a  course  of  studies  connected  with  Christianity.  Of  the  prmcipal 
tieuoininations.  the  Methodists  alone  have  not  coalesced  for  the  distinct 
education  of  pious  youth  for  the  ministry,  who  by  nature  "  are  apt  to 
teach  :"  as  iieillier  of  their  schools  in  Europe  or  the  United  Slates  is  appro- 
priate<l  to  a  pn  pa<ation  for  pulfiit  instruction.  To  this  catalogue  must 
be  added  as  ol  vast  im{K)itance  in  the  august  work  to  qualify  by  preliminary 
tn»it»n.  agents  for  the  iutroductioii  of  the  Gospel  among  the  Hestlien.  the 
foreign  Mmion  School  at  Coruwall,  which  coustitutes  one  of  the  most 


APPENDIX.  07 

hiterestino;  ami  va'iuibh!  scminatios  now  in  c^Nistnioe.  Rp<pr't'fii!;;  fjir^e 
various  sources  oiilliiiuiiialiiiii ;  witli  liic  luiiioi  p' >v-es  of  tiiitioii,  <ln<.i»';itc(i 
to  the  siiiiie  exaited  t.bjoct  ;  every  irici!*!  oi  Z.on  will  krvfiifly  yiAy, 
Ihat  they  may  iicvi  r  he  ddiilterated  liy  error  ;  ;niil  im<ler  the  iiiMiieiiees  of 
the  Hoi)  Ghovt,  tli.it  llieir  prwsress  ii;ay  h^'  >■  like  Ihe  slihiino;  lisht,  whieli 
shineth  more  and  more;"  iKililtiu;  s()lei!(ioi;(s  (>f  tlwir  piely,  j;eiiiii>. 
leaniihii  and  inlelli-reiicc.  eniitiniialiy  a.  et  !ern;iii^  Hieir  force,  andexpaiid- 
HJg  Ihcir  extent,  shall  iiKuliate  liie  wi.ilii  wiiU  liie   '•  peritcl  tiay." 

XXI r.  Page  432.      Kcligunm  eu\i:aiion. 

Religion  will  he  extensively  propa;^utpd  hy  She  holy  and  fervent  zi'al  of 
(he  teachers  ot  yowUi  'I'lie  number  of  th<^  i^kiik  iii>lrn»tors  of  tlie  youth 
of  both  sexes  is'liu  reasini  in  a  very  cunvide.-alile  ile,:iree  ;  and  irhile  liiey 
are  sedulously  attentive  (o  eveiy  branch  of  nst  fui  and  ornameiital  know - 
ledgf:.  they  (eel  mor*-  deeply  that  il  is  iiie;!nii>ent  on  them  to  instruct 
their  scholars  in  the  principles  of  relijiiitn  ;  and  l:i  pie>s  tliem  home  on  the 
lieait  as  vital  sprinjj^  of  sentiment  and  action,  to  (orm  their  ehara<^ter  in 
future  life.  The  biinfi.ial  effects  of  then-  lab  nrs  in  ditfusiivi;  reliy;ioii 
more  extensively  tin ono;])  the  didertul  rank,  in  bvcicty,  can  suaicely  be 
estimated  sufficiently  liiiih. 

In  looking,  foirt.ird  to  years  to  coiii.\  ili-ie  i^  fVi-ry  reason  to  conclude, 
that  pious  instructius  of  the  risin>;  2ener.ili.)n  ivjli  .becoirui  stil!  moie,  nud.e- 
iwus  ;  and  a  more  cotisiderable  iniuibor  of  the  youth  of  both  sexes  enji<y  the 
advaritages  of  a  relii^ious  c<huatic>n.  'I'iiere  will  be  a  iar  more  al)uudant 
measure  of  religions  knowledge,  as  well  a>  o!  hoiiiif  ss  and  felicity  But 
it  appears  exceedingly  probable,  tliat  tiiesi;  wdi  oi.l  burst  forth  all  at  osue, 
like  iiiihtenins;  Irom  tiie  dark  cloud  at  night,  which  in  the  twinkling  oi  an 
eye  renders  clear  and  distinct,  objects,  which  wrre  unseen  belore  ;  but 
will  rather  resemble  the  lij^ht  ol  the,  mor.iinji,  that  from  the  first  tints  of  the 
dawn  increases  gradually,  tdi  the  sun  pours  his  full  beams  upon  the  earth, 
.ind  forms  tlie  perfect  day.  Such  ac.  aiiginentatiou  !|of  m-nta!  nnd  spi- 
ritual li.;ht  we  may  reasonably  expect.  lis  beni»:i)  operation,  the 
piou<  teachers  of  suiceediui;  generations  will  powei  lolly  leel.  it  will  com- 
municate to  them  a  greater  capacity  to  do  i'.<':id  ; — it  »Mii  increase  th.:ir 
energies  in  their  ofilce  ; — it  will  convey  their  in-trn( lions  niore  power  ully 
to  the  licarl'  of  thpti'.pupils  ; — and  it  will  render  tiie  inlluence  of  education 
roofe  efficacious  than  it  has  hitlierto  betn.  it  we  suppose  such  teachers 
of  youth  widely  scattered  tlirouah  acomitiv,  how  extensive  mu^t  lie  the 
fruit  of  their  labours:  Christ  will  hwe  the  dew  otliie  youth,  andihit  in 
such  a  goodly  number  as  to  be  "  a<coniited  (o  him  for  a  ijentialion." — 
These  well  instructed  youn;  people  will  brconic  heads  offamiiics,  and 
enlarge  the  tanks  ot  those  who  both  conwnund  and  teach  their  household  to 
keep  the  way  of  the  Lord.  Ti;e  iustruclois  of  youth  will  thus  spread  abrcKul 
tlie  triumphs  ofitie  lli.laemiir,  and  advance  the  pro^rtjss  ol  religion  ,lo- 
ivards  its  Millennial  glory. 

Tiiose  friends  of  the  Redeemer  engasfd  in  Sunday  Schools  will  contri- 
bute in  no  mean  degree  to  i!a^ten  on  the  «rlory  of  ihc  lattei diys.  The 
earefu!  iivstruclio.i  of  so  vast  a  mniliaide  id'clnldren  in  the  piinopl.s  of 
pure  religion,  the  ireatt'r  pirt  of  wiioni  wou'i!  cliierwisc  h.ivp  been  entiiely 
ignorant  ix  coDierring  on  the  risins  genetrilioo  a  ftvinir  oi  (he  noblest  kin. I  ; 
will  intal.ibty  beget  a  more  intellii*  i.t  and  moiai  boay  o!  people  ;  and  will 
ina  vast  vaiiety  of  instances  produce,  the  p<a<-.aidf-  lift  is  ot  i  ighleoiisness 
in  their  h' arts  and  lives.  How  pnaerlnl  as  >.<  |!  ;ts  iirni'ficiai  their  iiilin- 
f3nee  mnsl  be  on  the  jeneral  prop  ■i.tiiMi  oS  C...isii,:iiily  to  the  woiid,  wiil 
be  seen  and  must  be  acknowkdged  by  all.  i'  i^  a  c  nsidviaiinn  whieb 
should  excite  uo  common  feeliuiis   in  liu:    l.ie;«^,:  "t  vvcry  .Sunuu,)'>-scla>ui 


68  "  APPENDIX. 

teacher  :  "  I  am  onsngied  in  a  servic*^  which  tvill  accclt-ratc  the  progress 
olroligion,  and  quicken  Ihe  •^pt-ed  o!  the  chariot  (if  the  Gospel  iu  its  course 
to  tlie  uttermost  ends  ol  tlie  earth." 

XXV.  Page  433.  Religwus  restnclinr.s. 

Of  all  the  crimrs  coiiiinittpd  ai:;ii!!':t  Ood  and  his  Ciiiist,  the  chainina; 
down  (lithe  coiiscif'uces  oi"  tlic  pc  n((ic  lo  tiie  lailli  of  their  r.  h  is.  ami  relii- 
siii^  tli<  Hi  liberty  of  sentiment  and  ol  worship  is  the  blackest— tise  most 
tieiMOU-i  in  its  nature,  and  the  must  destructive  in  its  dfects.  By  this  in- 
tolerance, hundreds  of  millions  of  the  human  race  have  fallen  short  of  llic 
knowledge  and  love  of^God  and  the  Redeemer.  Siieh  has  with  some  ex- 
ceptions, been  the  universal  spirit  of  the  governm  iits  ol'  nhat  is  called  the 
Christian  world,  almost  to  tlie  picsent  day.  In  rnlcis  uhn  have  only  (he 
dim  light  of  nature  for  Uicir  2;iii  !e,  we  ne  d  not  therefitre  «vi>n.iir  to  see  a 
similar  disposition.  With  ss  ii  t  it  must  ho  mentioned,  tlia*  an  edict  of  the 
greatest  p.igan  potenta(^:  in  tii'^no;1d  forbids  tiie  sacred  Scriptures  to  be 
printed  and  circulated  in  his  nirpiie  ;  (he  banisiioicn!  o.  preachers  had  been 
ord- r."d  by  a  lormer  decree.  For  a  ni.tn  to  sisiit  up  his  dainiiiions  against 
the  knowledge  ofliie  tiiieGod  and  the  otdy  Saviom  of  sinners,  and  t(>ri)jd 
its  entrance  under  pain  of  death,  is  miking  a  hell  oi  Ciiina  ••  it  is  commit^ 
tine  a  crime  which  no  words  ofany  hiiii.an  lai)a;iMge  can  express. 

The  restrictions  which  have  bten  I  .id  upon  K^li^^ious  liberty  must  be 
taken  away.  The  want  of  (his  liberty  is  one  of  the  most  injurious  priva- 
tions (hat  a  mortal  creatine  can  IVel.  In  past  (imes.  how  lillle  ot  it  has 
been  possessed  witldn  t!ie  pale  cren  of  the  I*r< :tes(;iut  church.  Its  value 
will  appear  from  this  fact,  that  reli^lion  has  flourished  and  now  nourishes 
most,  where  freedom  of  cuisciencc  is  most  enjoyed  ;  and  is  least  prosper- 
ous wliere  it  least  cxi>ts, — !)eing  rendered  dwarlish  and  missiiapen  by  tlm 
liarsh  constraiut.  Uniiiippily  the  rulers  of  the  world  have  arrogated  to 
th<  ihselves  dutliority  in  spiritual  matters;  and  have  unwisely  conceived 
that  it  belonged  to  them  to  say  who  shall  be  allowed  to  worship  God  accoid- 
Imsj  to  tiie  dictates  of  his  conscience,  and  who  shall  not.  How  many  laith- 
ful  ministers  of  Christ,  have  been  hindered  by  them  from  preaching  the 
Gospel  ;  and  what  multitiidts' of  people  from  hearing  it  out  of  theif  hal- 
lowed lips  !  H  >w  many  of  both  have  been  spoiled  of  (lieir  goods,  and 
bi-ti)  shut  up  ill  pri«oi»  because  Ihcy  would  not  refrain !  Blessed  be  God 
thit  those  da>s  ot  persecution  are  pnst.  But  at  Ihe  prest  iit  time  in  several 
Protestint  countries,  the  same  ri^id  severity  still  prevails.  In  Sweden. 
Denmark,  Norway,  and  soru;  p;ufs  of  Girmany,  n  lii^Joiis  lib' rty  is  still 
linknow;)  :  f'lt  <!ou,inant  sect  will  permit  no  otiiei  (onus  of  uorship  but  its 
own.  Happy  will  it  be  if  Iht  late  coiiviilsions  in  Fhiojjc  suffice  to  confer 
this  inestimable  benefii  upon  tiie  Prot  st.uit  churelu  s  ;  and  render  liirtner 
eal-iinities  unnecessary.  Produced  a  chaiioe  must  he;  for  with  such 
chains  on  the  souls  of  men  tlierecan  he  no  Millennium,  In  order  to  the 
general  prevaleoce  of  religion  in  a  country,  (he  disciples  of  Christ  must  be 
left  at  full  freedom  to  woiship  God  aecoidinu:  to  (he  .iictales  of  their  own 
judgments,  and  to  manage  their  rebgious  coiu'erns  in  their  own  way  ;  for 
by  such  a  method  they  will  most  eft<  ctnaily  prouu'te  the  cause  of  Christ. 
Spcidily  may  intolerance  cease  !  Oh  that  sjiiritual  tyranny  may  soon  have 
a  neP'^tone  tied  ab'Uit  her  lit  <  k.  and  be  ca.st  into  the  midst  of  the  sea  ; 
and  thai  reliiUHis  liberty  may  be  itiTiled  (o  sit  down  upon  (he  empty  throne, 
and  sway  her  sceptre  over  the  k  iiolc  of  Frottsiuut  Europe  ! 


APPENDIX.  6f 

XXVI.  Page  437.    Longevity  of  the  Millennial  state. 

Tiie  pa^sa^e  Isaiah  ixv  :  20—22,  is  generally  uiulerstood  to  refer  lo  tlia 
jEiory  oHhe  latter-day,  of  wliicii  Longevity  will  be  a  distinguished  bkssiiig 
lit  the  improved  version  of  the  words  from  Bishop  Lowth  ; 

"  No  more  shall  tliere  he  an  infant  sliort  lived; 

Nor  an  old  man  who  hatli  not  tulliikd  his  days  ; 

For  he  that  difth  at  a  hundred  years  shall  die  a  boy  ; 

And  the  sinner  (hat  ilieth  at  u  hnudred  years  shall  be  deemed  acccurse4 

And  they  sliall  bnild  houses,  and  shall  inhabit  them  ; 

And  they  shall  plant  vineyards,  and  shall  eat  the  fruit  thereof; 

They  shall  not  plant,  and  another  eat  ; 

For  a-  the  days  ol  a  tree  shall  be  the  days  of  my  people  ; 

And  tiiey  shall  wear  out  the  works  of  their  owh  hands." 

The  prosperous  state  of  tiie  christian  churcli  is  the  object  in  view  ;  and 
'*  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth,"  signify  that  glorious  and  happy 
•rate  of  believers,  wiien  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  be  universal,  when 
war  shall  have  ceased,  and  peaee  and  joy  prevail  all  over  the  world. 

The  duration  ol  human  life  will  th<  n  be  lengthened.  At  present  nearly 
bait' of  the  human  i.ite  die  in  infancy  ;  but  tliis  sad  mortality  shall  cease, 
anri  there  shall  he  no  more  "ah  infant  short-lived  ;"  one  that  "  comes  up 
Ike  a  flower"  iu  the  moniiug,  and  lades  before  noon  The  man  who  now 
dies  at  seventy,  is  thoiight  to  have  livt  d  long  ;  but  then,  he  who  shall  die 
at  a  hiiu.lred,  sliall  have  died  —a  youth  ;  and  the  sinner,  if  he  should  be 
found  even  in  the  Mi'lenuiuin.  wdi  fw  judged  fc«  have  perished  by  an  early 
and  untimely  death,  if  he  coiripleto  only  a  centurj.  But,  generally,  the 
people  of  that  period  shill  enjtiy  a  continuance  of  lilie,  equal  to  that  of  & 
long  lived  tree  ;  the  expii^sMon  denotes  a  great  length  of  life,  probably  e~ 
qual  to  that  of  the  Antidiluvians, 

One  advantage  to  be  obtained,  will  be  the  enjoyment  of  man's  labonr. 
It  was  a  curst  denouiicf^d  on  a  nicked  man  of  ohi,  "Thou  shait  build  a 
house,  and  thou  shaft  not  dwell  ih'  rein  ;  thou  shalt  plant  a  viney  rd,  and 
shalt  not  gather  thi  gi  f)  s  thereof;" — <leaih  shall  cut  thee  off,  and  so  de- 
prive thee  of  the  e,\'p»^<  ud  Iruit  of  thy  toil.  Kut  in  the  Millennial  state,  the 
builder  of  a  house  ;  h  lii  liV.^  long  lo  enjoy  the  aeiommodations  he  had  plan- 
ned and  produced  ;  and  he  shall  be  gratified  «ith  the  rich  produce  of  the 
orchard  lie  planted.  An*!  this  enjoyment  shall  be  so  extended,  that  he 
shall  have  oc^a^ion  t*  bniiii  and  plant  again,  for  "  he  shall  near  out  the 
works  ot  his  own  bands."  This  is  rarely,  if  ever  now  the  case.  Ev^  n  a 
slightly-built  ho^ise  will  generally  be  haldtable  long  after  its  builder  is  in  the 
grave  ;  and  man>i<ii..^.  «!(<  h  as  men  of  affluence  erect  may  be  tenanted  by 
succeeding  geiu'iaflori*  ot  the  same  family:  but  m  the  Millem^ium,  the 
buiide.r  must  b<iil<!  .mother  f>iiu«e,  tvhicji  nay  accommodate  him  and  his  in- 
creasing famiiy  lo!  a  few  cmtnries  longer. 

It  may  b(  a-ked,  "  What  advantage  will  there  be  in  all  this?  Do  we 
not  find  that  old  age  is  usually  aUnnd' 'J  with  labour  and  sorrow  ;  that  de- 
sires fail  ;  UiP  »enses  becnur-  biunt  and  the  man  of  many  years  says,  I  have 
DO  pleasure  in  them  ?"  It  is  so  now,  but  the  true  longevity  which  we  con- 
template will  i.i  vigorous  an(i  ir  nquil — the  old  Rge  of  Moses  ;  concerning 
whom,  when  i)  lia*i  fi.M^hed  his  120  years,  we  are  told  that  "  his  eye  was 
not  dim,  \w^u^■i  I  w  is  .latural  foice  abated  "  Grey  hairs  will  then  in. 
deed  be  a  cir>.v  )  ■  ;;)  .i y.  Thesf  aged  saints  will  descend  the  hill  of  liiie, 
rejoicing  i!i  m^- e.i'is, 'ations  oC  th-'  Gosp  d  ;  and  their  hearts  exult  in  the 
pk.i-inj;;  i!..|i;e  of '<!..;{  .re  lona  i;  movid  iiom  earth,  and  united  to  the  gen- 
eral .s^cmbiy  .lud  chmchot  the  first-born  iu  heaven,  where  they  jhall  be 
•Fer  with  the  Lord. 


70  APPENDIX. 

A  IwIioTpr  or3or  400  yoars  will  be  ah!p  tn  entertain  th°  youth  of  Fii-s 
day  with  ib'  p!f-i«iiig  relalioii  of  what  he  has  witiir-^oid  in  the  grow  ins;  iil- 
va!icpn»f-«t  oi  tjit'  Saviour's  kingdom;  ami  Ihi:  triumphs  ordiviiie  s:r.ic«  in 
Iho  -otyngatroii  ol'  \v|iol<-  n  itions  to  the  scfptni  ot  Imm;iim»'l.  iV^^ii  oi' 
G{nU  wl!o  havt  preachril  his  word  {'or  5  or  600  years.  M'iil  ho  lrw"<l  iTJlh 
proroiind  attf  nfioii.  «;irrefl  (1rliq:ht,  and  unspeaka'  Ip  e difi"  .tion  ;  and  the  li- 
iin^  f  ennations  will  be  stimulated  to  holy  zeal  in  iironiotiii;^  Uie  kingdom  of 
the  Savionr. 

The  Scripfiirt  s  will  be  far  better  tindcrsfootl  in  those  happy  days  tlian 
they  are  at  present  The  developenif^il  ol'tlie  i»rophe<ies  wit!  aSird  a  hisli 
degree  ofdelight,  and  prove  a  key  to  those  wliich  remain  nnaeeoinplislied. 
The  obsenation  and  oxperifMiee  of  wise  nnd  good  men,  who  have  vvalkf!(J 
irith  (iod  longer  than  Enoch  or  Noah  did,  will  throw  a  wondertnl  beauty  and 
Ia«treoolbe  sacred  book,  and  ren.ler  the  study  of  it  ineonreivably  gratifyinj; 
to  pious  minds  ;  while  the  neariiig  prospect  ol  the  tin  il  ronsummatiou  of 
the  whole  system  of  redemption,  will  prodnce  an  anticipation  of  biiss,  cre- 
ating a  "heaven  begun  below." 

CONCLUSION. 

Cbrhlians  ong'-.t  to  be  ramiiiar  with  the  nnifiirmity  and  progress  of  divine 
trntn  ;  the  persecutions  and  fortitude  of  the  martyrs  ;  ihe  .Ifdnsions  of  mnl- 
tiforin  heresy,  and  its  ever  shifting  but  inalienable  a<lhorents  ;  the  labours, 
triaK  and  tritunplis  of  Reformers;  and  "the  faitli  an*l  patience  of  the 
Saints."  To  them  the  authentic  history  of  their  fcllmv  Pdgrims  to  Zi'k, 
aiiii  ol tfieir  Lord's  lorrc^ti ill  kuigdom,  ought  to  be  estimated  as  inferior  on- 
ly to  l(»e  Sacred  Books. 

TiKi  uoperft'clions  of  this  work  were  unavoidable  : — it  was  Pot  proposed  to 
beau  a?:ii(lgement  ;  the  object  ^as  to  convey  some  idea  of  the  ni  iner- 
ons  ,i!t^^ialions  which  in  the  revolutions  of  eighteen  ceuUiiies,  the  chri>tiia 
trorUi  iijs  experienced  ;  to  elicit  some  o!)vions  rclleetions  which  might  b<>ne- 
fit  itie  beiitving  auditors,  and  also  to  excite  an  atteniion  in  others  to  the 
most  interesting  and  advantageous  portions  of  the  history  of  mankind  :  it  »vas 
DOt  intended  to  supersede  a  recurrence  to  the  moie  minute  details  of 
other  historians,  but  if  possible  to  inspire  a  taste  for  ,in  extensive  acquaint- 
ance iTith  the  annals  of  Christianity,  in  them  who  "ere  ig'iorant  ol  tlie  sub- 
lime instructions  couueete.l  with  thr;  course  of  t:ie  Martyrs,  H^'formers,  and 
the  other  worthies  who  have  succcssivdy  digiifie.l  the  christian  pilgrim  ige. 

The  Anther  has  examined  and  selected  his  materials  from  the  following 
writers:  Josephus'  Works— Tustin — Tertnllian—Origeu— Arnobius— Eu^e- 
bins — Soerates  and  Evasrius'  History — liict  intiii' — Angnstine-  Fox's '^ook 
of  Martyrj — Paul's  Council  of  Trent — Burnet's  lli^lorf  of  Uic  llei'oriuaiion 
— Neal's  Puritans — Nouconforinists'  Mem  )rial — Mosheim's  Ili-toiy — Jor* 
tin's  Refieclions — Newton's  Review — Campbell's  Lectures — Mdnei's  His- 
tory— Ilawies'  History — Sabine's  Histo;y — Mather's  M  '.gnaiia — B.ixter'8 
Nairative — Bogne  and  Beiinett's  History  o!  Dissenters — Brooks'  Puritans — 
Edwards'  Popery — Woo(Hfoith's  Biography — ftl'Crie's  Knox —  Hfs>' 
Zninglins-  Cox's  Melancthon — Mackenzie's  Calvin—Gil, .in's  Lives  of  VViek- 
lifle,  Cranmer,  Si.c. — Thomson's  Lectures — B',dwards'  Redeniption—W  hit- 
field's  Lite — Brown's  History — Wesley's  Work — Encyclop  (iia  Briilanni- 
<'a — Bower's  History  of  the  Popes — and  Ihe  Universal  History — with  a 
laf^e  number  of  oilier  volumes  and  peiioiiK  at  works  in  which  th*-  general 
subject  has  been  incidentally  introduced,  especially  the  modern  Religions 
Magazines.  It  is  proper  also  to  state,  that  the  Author  has  extracted  many 
paiagraphs  verbatim  from  the  various  writers  who  have  been  consultc<l,  and 
which  are  generally  quoted  ;  but  where  the  language  has  been  altered,  or 
the  passage  abridged,  or  so  incorporated  with  his  own  seuliments  as  in  a  great 


IP 


APPENDIX.         ^HF'  71 

measHre  to  lose  its hloility,  then  the  marks  ofquotatioB  have beeu Delect- 
ed :  but  in  man}  iostaaces  tlic  omission  has  been  uuintentioaal. 

Tlie  histoiy  ol  the  modern  European  sects  has  been  compiletl  from  late 
ibreigii  pnblications  ;  many  passages  of  whic*^  are  in  the  Ia««;i:,>4e  of  the 
anonymous  authors  :  and  at  least  ou«r  h  ili  of  the  last  lecture,  ou  tae  Mtlien- 
Hiiim  is  little,  mo(e  th.t;i  a  condenstil  summary  of  part  of  Bogue's  tireaty 
liiKOurses  oil  tliat  sublime  and  interesting  topic. 

In  {).iw:s  283.  300,  3G7,  reference  is  made  to  a  future  reTiew,  it  was 
(leeiued  cxpidicnt  not  to  renew  the  disnissiou. 

Tiu:  Anilior  peculiarly  regrets  the  imperfections  in  the  bit^rraphical 
♦!(prtmt  r.t  ;  l)ut  in  attempting  to  supply  the  void,  he  founrt  it  absoIiitHy 
impfo..  ticable  lo  compress  into  any  succinct  I'orin  a  naiTjtive  of  lite 
prominent  cliar;\<teristjcs  of  those  most  renowned  christian  chillis,  »lio  ••uow 
thruugi)  'aith  and  patience  in'ierit  the  promises  ;"  this  loss,  lio«r«  ver.  au 
imagination  vivific'd  by  tlie  influence  of  the  h4»ly  Spiiit,  cuu  easily  leimbtin^e; 
as  the  lives  of  Go.^pel  labourers  in  every  portion  of  the  field  are  verj  similar, 
except  as  they  ai  e  varied  by  activity  and  chequered  by  oppositioB  their 
motives,  pui  suits,  objects,  and  spiritual  characteristics  being  uDironiily 
identical. 

An  attentive  reader  will  discern  some  repetitions  ;  it  Is  only  ner^ssary  to 
remark,  that  they  were  designed  ;  the  Author  endeavoured  in  scmw  ia'^tances 
to  avoid  them,  but  the  attempt  produced  so  much  obscurity'  tliat  tbe  Lectures 
»vhen  delivered  would  have  been  unintelligible. 

The  very  abridged  notice  of  (he  American  churches  was  the  resnlt  of 
imperious  necessity.  To  re;mcdy  the  omission,  a  defect  which  under  any 
possible  circumstance  would  have  been  palpable,  the  Author  is  preparin* 
foi  publication,  a  succinct  narrative  ofthe  rise,  progress,  and  pre«eitttcorMii- 
tion  ofthe  christian  denominations  and  religious  institutions,  iu  t^c  Cnited 
Slates  which  will  be  issued  as  speedily  as  the  volume  can  be  cooipJeied. 

Probably  it  may  be  said,  tliat  some  of  the  language  is  too  stroiU;^;  it  is 
replied,  these  were /)Oj?«/ar  lectures,  and  of  cmirse  in  some  measuTR  partook 
of  that  eveiteuient,  without  which  all  public  addresses  are  not  ouly  frigid, 
but  v^x  et  preterea  nihil.  Nevertheless,  wfcile  the  Author  has  not  beea 
afiaid,  "  plainly  and  boldly  to  call  ajig,  a-Jig,  and  a  spade,  a  spade  ;"  he 
has  felt  hiih  dtiigiit  in  imperfecliy  eulogizing  the  stedfast  follo-vprsoftbe 
Lamb.  His  motto  was,  imllius  addiclus  jurare  in  verba  magistri;  under 
its  inilueuce,  he  has  searched  lor  the  truth  extensively,  patiently,  aiud  fi»r 
some  of  hiscliristian  auditors  beneficially  ;  anti  he  devoutly  prays,  that  bis 
readers  al^^o  uaay  enjoy,  through  the  divine  benediction,  the  adviiuJa^i;!?  of 
additional  illumination,  fortitude,  and  zeal  in  the  service  of  Jehovah  ;  that 
thus  they  may  "  grovv  in  grace,  awl  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lordaud  Sa- 
viour Jesus  Christ." 


FINIS. 


INDEX  TO  THE  APPENDIX. 


Arminianism,  65 

Austin  Friars,  22 

Baptismal  coutr«versy,  61 

Bpnedictines,  IT 
Calvin,  Joha                                                                                                 35,  60 

Canons,  19 

Carmelites,  21 

Carthusians,  1 8 

Cliristianity  verified  by  facts,  2 

Ci'itercians,  ^^ 

Chiniacs,  J8 
Coiigrf'gationalisna,                                                                                     6»  ^^ 

Crannaer,  Thonaafi  38 

Dominicans,  21 

FaUe  Miracles,  '^ 

Franciscans,  20 

In<iepebdents,  64 

Jesrils.  23 

Knox,  John  42 

Letter  tVora  Lyons,  9 

Letter  irom  Smyrna  7 

Longevity  of  the  MilleBDium,  69^ 

Luther,  Martin  26 

Matliurines,  20 

Melancthon.  Philip  47 

M«  tliodist  Missionary  Sociely,  «5 

Mill,    Walter  *9 

lHodern  denoroioations,  65 

Monkish  orders,  1^ 

Mytliologists,  ^ 

Ori,«  in  of  coiiDcils,  '  * 

Pamphilus.  12 

Petei  's  Tisit  to  Rome.  6 

Polycarp,                                        ^  ^ 

Protestants,  ^7 

Relics,  1* 

Relij^ions  edncation,  67 

Religions  reitrictions,  ^8 

Sanctns,  1 1 

Scotch  Secession,  53 

Scotland  before  the  Reformative,  ^® 
Seven  churches  of  Asia, 


Socinus, 


60 


Supplement  to  the  Preface,  70 

Theological  Seminaries,  66 

Unbroken  succession,  6* 

Zuingllus  Ulric,  38 


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